Lagos — A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed October 29, 2008, for ruling on the application brought by Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited seeking to join MRS Oil and Gas Limited, Petroci Holdings Limited and Corlay Global S.A as the 14th, 15th and 16th respondents respectively in the suit it instituted against Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc.

At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, counsel to Zenon, Mr. Kehinde Aina also sought the order of the court to serve the three respondents the originating processes and all subsequent processes including motion on notice for committal for contempt by substituted means.

He disclosed that the means shall be by pre-paid courier postage to the principal place of business of MRS Oil and Gas Limited, at Polo House, No 2 Tin Can Island, Apapa, Lagos.

Aina reminded the court of its order dated July 31, 2008 where it restrained the respondent and any of its agents from bidding, selling, alienating, transferring, disposing and or parting with the possession of the shares held by the 2nd respondents in the 1st respondent pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the suit.

He said in defiance of the court orders, THISDAY Newspapers had reported that Chevron Corporation had announced that its subsidiary, Chevron Africa Holdings Limited, had agreed to sell 60 per cent equity of Chevron Nigeria Holdings Limited to Corlay Global S.A, a Panamanian company owned by an African-based consortium comprising MRS Holdings Limited and Petroci Holdings.

Aina argued that the act was contemptuous of the express orders of the orders the court, adding that in the circumstances of his substantive claims against the respondents, the subsisting interim order and the pending committal proceedings against the original respondents in the suit, each of whom in connivance with the parties now sought to be joined have jointly been in contempt, it was imperative that MRS Oil and Gas Limited, Petroci Holdings Limited and Corlay Global S.A be joined as the 14th, 15th and 16th Respondents respectively in the suit.

On his part, counsel to Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yele Delana (SAN), argued that since he had appealed the earlier decision of the court at the Court of Appeal to hear the contempt proceedings before the hearing the lack of jurisdiction, it was imperative for the court to stay further proceedings on the matter.

But Aina said since currently, there was no application before the court for such a request, the court should wait until it determines the joinder application for committal for contempt on October 29.

Justice Lambo Akanbi had fixed yesterday to hear the application for contempt proceedings brought against the first Respondent. The judge had held that it was a settled case in court proceedings that when an issue as important as contempt of court is raised in any matter, such issue be treated first above every other considerations.He stated that it was also to ensure that the orders of the court are properly carried out and the integrity, reputation and dignity of the court are protected.In the substantive suit, the court had July 31, 2008, granted an interim injunction restraining the Chevron Group from divesting 60% of its stake from Texaco Nigeria Plc. Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited currently owns 19% equity stake in Texaco Plc.In his ruling on the ex-parte motion brought by Zenon, Justice Akanbi had restrained the respondent and any of its agents from bidding, selling, alienating, transferring, disposing and or parting with the possession of the shares held by the 2nd Respondents in the 1st Respondent pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the suit.In the suit Zenon had dragged Chevron Oil Nigeria Plc, Chevron Africa Holdings Limited, Chevron Global Energy Incorporation, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Corporate Affairs Commission, BNP Paribas, African Petroleum Plc, Habitat Oil and Gas, Oando Plc, and Acorn Oil and Gas Limited before the court.