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CaseLaw

Intercontractors VS.UAC (1988) CLR 4(h) (SC)

Judgement delivered on April 29th, 1988

Brief

  • Debentures
  • Floating charges
  • Receivers
  • Stay of execution
  • Judgement creditor

Facts

On 6th May, 1985, respondent signed judgment in respect of an undisputed indebtedness on a simple trial debt due to it from the applicant/appellant. Applicant did not apply for a stay of execution and did not give any notice of appeal against the judgment. A charge fixed and floating had been created over the assets of the applicant/appellant company in July, 1978 in favour of Savannah Bank of Nigeria Limited. As a result of applicant/appellant’s default Savannah Bank Ltd. Exercising its power under the debenture appointed a Receiver Manager over the Applicant/Appellant company with effect from the 27th June, 1985. This was more than six weeks after the Applicant/Appellant had submitted to judgment in an action against it for a simple debit. The writ of Fieri Facias was issued thereon on 7th May, 1985 judgment having been enrolled.

The Applicant/Appellant brought an application to stay indefinitely the execute of the judgment essentially on no other ground than that-

  • a.
    The Receiver/Manager who by virtue of his office is trying to re-organize the company and realise all its assets.
  • b.
    the applicant is incapacitated and paralysed with respect to all its assets out of which payments would have been made to the Plaintiff and other creditors.
  • c.
    until the receivership terminates, leading either into liquidation or solvency of the defendant, all its assets are beyond the reach of the Plaintiff.

The trial judge ruled in favour of the preliminary objection and refused the application for stay of execution, whereupon the applicant appealed to the court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal endorsing the opinion of the High Court. The appellant, being dissatisfied with the judgment appealed further to the Supreme Court.

Issues

  • Whether a Receiver/Manager (appointed our of Court pursuant to a...
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