Honeywell vs. Ecobank: Appeal Court Sets Down Honeywell’s Appeal for Accelerated Hearing

The Federal Court of Appeal, Lagos has finally set down Honeywell Group’s appeal for accelerated hearing. The Appeal Court took the decision when the matter of Honeywell Flour Mills’ appeal against the exparte orders granted by Justice MohammedYunusa in favour of Ecobank Nigeria Limited came up for hearing on Wednesday 10th February.

The last time the matter came up in court on 27th January, 2016 the court adjourned the matter for hearing all pending applications and that if time permits, proceed to hear the substance of the appeal.



Honeywell Flour Mills was represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Mr. Akinyele Delano SAN and Mr. Ade Adedeji SAN. Lead counsel to Honeywell Flour Mills, Chief Wole Olanipekun reiterated the business of the day, stating that the matter is for hearing of pending applications and the appeal.

However, the court of appeal, presided over by Honourable Justice Chinwe Iyizoba, Honourable Justice Abimbola Obaseki and Honourable Justice Yargata Nimpar stated that, from the records of the court, the matter is only for the hearing of pending applications and not for the hearing of the appeal. It seems the lapse in the information about the business of the day was as a result of the fact that the panel of judges that presided over the proceedings on 27th January, 2016 viz: Honourable Justice Sidi Bage, Honourable Justice Yargata Nimpar, and Honourable Justice Shagbaor Ikyegh was different from the presiding panel of 10th February,2016 with the exception of Justice Nimpar.

Consequently, Chief Wole Olanipekun urged the court to allow the expedited hearing of the appeal to ensure that the livelihood of over 2,000 Nigerians is not jeopardized. He further stated that if the court decides not to hear the appeal, Honeywell Flour Mills’ application to suspend the order granted by Justice Mohammed Yunusa should be heard.

Counsel to Ecobank, Mr. Kunle Ogunba informed the court that the ruling of Justice Yunusa, which forms the basis for this appeal was just brought to him by Honeywell Flour Mills’ counsel. Mr. Ogunba urged the court to allow him respond to Honeywell’s amendment of processes before the hearing of the appeal.

After hearing oral arguments from both counsels, the honourable justices agreed to an accelerated hearing of the appeal and adjourned the matter to 22nd February, 2016 for the hearing of the appeal.