Halkin Exploration and Production Ltd. secured a Nigerian court order setting aside Eunisell Ltd.’s late-payment invoices under a disputed service contract, removing the basis for charges tied to a 0.5% daily fee, BusinessDay reported.
Justice S.B. Belgore, of the Abuja-based High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, issued the ruling Oct. 22. Clause 10.4 applied the daily charge to sums that remained unpaid. The court found the provision unenforceable, according to BusinessDay, which reported that the judge characterized it as a penalty intended to pressure Halkin.
The order also invalidated invoices, bills and assessments linked to the clause. BusinessDay said the amount Eunisell sought reached millions of dollars, more than 10 times the debt at the center of the dispute.
The dispute also involves allegations by Halkin and its counsel that Eunisell left an oil well without notice and damaged its wellhead, BusinessDay reported.
Chikaosulu Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing Halkin, welcomed the ruling. He said Halkin plans to pursue a $50 million claim against Eunisell in further legal proceedings, BusinessDay reported. The outlet gave no filing date or venue for that claim.
