A businesswoman, Chinenye Ajie has dragged an international oil and gas servicing Company, Baker Hughes before the Lagos high court over alleged failure to pay for hotel accommodation and catering services rendered to it.
The Claimant, in suit number LD/ADR/3582/20221filed by her lawyer, Valentine Ezeokeke is praying for an order compelling the Defendant to pay outstanding debt of N12, 471,238, and additional N10 million as general and aggravated damages.
The Cliamant is also demanding an interest at the rate of 22 percent per annum from the 1st day of September, 2019 until judgment and thereafter, at the same rate, until the final liquidation of the entire judgment debt.
In her statement of claim, Ajie, who carries on business in the name and style of Quintessential International Arena, located in Kwale Delta State stated that between the months of June 2018 and August 2019, she rendered hotel accommodation and catering services to the Defendant (Baker Hughes) at a total cost of N21, 613,658.00.
The Cliamant stated that the request for accommodation always came through email approvals sent by the Defendant’s Journey Management Officers.
The Claimant stated that she always honoured the requests and provided accommodation and catering services for the guests involved, after which the Claimant’s bills are submitted for settlement.
Claimant added that between the months of June 2018 and August 2019, the Defendant had accumulated a total bill of N21,613,658 (twenty – one million, six hundred and thirteen thousand, six hundred and fifty — eight Naira) through several invoices that were sent to them.
Claimant stated that out of this sum, the Defendant as at February 12 2021, settled only N9,142, 420 (nine million, one hundred and forty — two thousand, four hundred and twenty Naira), leaving the sum of N12,471,238 (twelve million, four hundred and seventy — one thousand, two hundred and thirty — eight Naira) unpaid.
The Claimant stated that she made several and repeated demands for payment of the outstanding, but the Defendant failed/refused to respond.
Claimant’s representatives visited the Lagos office of the Defendant on two occasions, held discussions with the Defendant’s procurement and accounting staff, but all was in vain,
The Claimant thereafter wrote a letter of demand dated July 20, 2020 wherein she attached a statement providing comprehensive details of all the paid and unpaid invoices and urged the Defendant once more to pay.
Thereafter, the Defendant made paltry payments in January and February of 2021, but refused to pay the outstanding.
The Cliamant stated that the updated statement clearly shows that the sum outstanding on the several invoices is N12,471,238 (twelve million, four hundred and seventy- one thousand, two hundred and thirty — eight Naira).
The Claimant further stated that she directed her Solicitors to issue a letter by way of a pre-action protocol demanding settlement of the debt, but the Defendant ignored the letter, and has continued to be in default.
The Claimant stated that she has suffered a crushing loss of earnings by reason of the Defendant’s default and has been subjected to extreme anguish in her business and family life.
Also, by reason of the Defendant’s default, the Claimant stated that she has gone into indebtedness, and has in addition suffered a loss of dignity, and the damage to her has been greatly aggravated.
Consequently, the Claimant prayed the court for the following reliefs: “Judgment in the sum of N12,471,238 (twelve million, four hundred and seventy – one thousand, two hundred and thirty – eight Naira) being the outstanding sum due and owing to the Claimant from the Defendant, in respect of hotel accommodation and catering services rendered by the Claimant to the Defendant.
“Interest on this sum at the rate of 22 percent per annum from the 1st day of September, 2019 until judgment and thereafter, at the same rate, until the final liquidation of the entire judgment debt.
“The sum of N10,000,000 (Ten million Naira) as General and Aggravated Damages.”
