Nigerian High Court judge Olateru Olagbeji, who is presiding over the legal battle between Econet Wireless and its Nigerian partners in V-Mobile, Nigeria`s third-largest mobile operator, has ruled the case should be accelerated due to its importance.
According to Sure Kamhunga, spokesman for Econet Wireless, Olagbeji stressed the case was high profile, being watched by the "whole world" and should be tried on an "accelerated basis".
A company statement says the case should go to trial on 27 October, and is set to continue on 3, 7 and 17 November.
The battle began earlier this year when Kuwait-based MTC`s subsidiary, Celtel, announced it had acquired 65% of V-Mobile shares, a fact which Econet Wireless disputes on the grounds that it had shown interest in buying the company first.
Econet already owns 5% of V-Mobile, and has the first right of refusal over any shares offered for sale. Econet is now rallying for the deal to be reversed, alleging the partners delayed the submission of key transaction documents to allow Econet to buy V-Mobile first.
Olagbeji ruled Econet could amend its claim to include evidence that there had not only been a breach of contract, but also a conspiracy to deny the company transaction documents which would be needed for it to acquire V-Mobile successfully, says Kamhunga.
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