n00b
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- Apr 10, 2008
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Dar es Salaam. The High Court will on April 1, this year, hear preliminary objections filed by oil and gas firms -- Ophir and British Gas -- challenging powers of the court over a suit instituted by a businessman over interest in three gas blocks.
Businessman Moto Mabanga who initially secured the three gas blocks located in Mtwara and partnered with Ophir says the two firms have fraudulently kicked him out of the lucrative business.
Last month, he approached the Commercial Division of the High Court asking it to declare that Ophir Energy, its subsidiary Ophir Services and British Gas Ltd had cheated him when he surrendered his 15 per cent interest in the three gas blocs.
The businessman claims that the $7.5 million that the London-based companies paid him to acquire his shares was made in bad faith and was aimed at underpaying him.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Kassim Nyangarika directed the parties to file their skeleton arguments before hearing of the primary objections (POs).
In the POs, Ophir Energy and Ophir Services are asking the court to dismiss the suit because the matter has already been judged by an English High Court of Justice in June, 2012.
Mr Mabanga's case has attracted attention from players in the gas and oil industry and ordinary Tanzanians, for it is likely to set a precedent on the participation of locals in the rapidly growing and lucrative industry.
It is understood that Mr Mabanga was the first to initially secure blocks 1, 2 and 3 and later partnered with Ophir, clearing the way for ownership before they fell out.
Businessman Moto Mabanga who initially secured the three gas blocks located in Mtwara and partnered with Ophir says the two firms have fraudulently kicked him out of the lucrative business.
Last month, he approached the Commercial Division of the High Court asking it to declare that Ophir Energy, its subsidiary Ophir Services and British Gas Ltd had cheated him when he surrendered his 15 per cent interest in the three gas blocs.
The businessman claims that the $7.5 million that the London-based companies paid him to acquire his shares was made in bad faith and was aimed at underpaying him.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Kassim Nyangarika directed the parties to file their skeleton arguments before hearing of the primary objections (POs).
In the POs, Ophir Energy and Ophir Services are asking the court to dismiss the suit because the matter has already been judged by an English High Court of Justice in June, 2012.
Mr Mabanga's case has attracted attention from players in the gas and oil industry and ordinary Tanzanians, for it is likely to set a precedent on the participation of locals in the rapidly growing and lucrative industry.
It is understood that Mr Mabanga was the first to initially secure blocks 1, 2 and 3 and later partnered with Ophir, clearing the way for ownership before they fell out.
