Stellar Logistics sued for contempt
Four residents of Sekondi-Takoradi have initiated contempt proceedings at the Sekondi High Court against Stellar Logistics Limited and its management for going contrary to the court’s earlier orders.
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The plaintiffs, Professor Kofi Blay, Mr Joseph Badu-Ansah, Madam Joana Quayson and Mr James Paa Kwow Pyne, want the court to take punitive measures against the respondents for disobeying an order restraining them from removing Ammonium Nitrate under their care.
Other respondents in the case are Messrs Brian Taylor, the Director of Stellar Logistics, Andrew Pettican, the General Manager, Victor Baah Danquah, the Finance and Administration Manager, and Dave Cameron, a former Regional Director.
In an accompanying affidavit in support of the action, the plaintiffs alleged that the company had loaded several trucks of Ammonium Nitrate from their facilities while an injunction was in place, an action they deemed contemptuous.
Motion
The plaintiffs had earlier filed a motion at the court praying it to declare that the respondents had been reckless and negligent, and had breached their duty of care in the handling and storage of Ammonium Nitrate.
However, the respondents maintain that they had all the necessary evidence to prove that although they did load 11 third party vehicles under their contractural obligations, it was done before they were served with the restraining order.
Approval
They contend that their handling and storage of Ammonium Nitrate had received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission, the two government institutions which had responsibility for the safe storage and handling of Ammonium Nitrate in the country.
According to the respondents, they had always acted with professionalism and in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations surrounding the storage and handling of Ammonium Nitrate under its care for over a decade.
They said management would continue to do its legitimate business and ensure that it did not violate the rights of citizens, especially the residents of Sekondi-Takoradi, where some of their storage facilities were located.
Adjournment
The court, presided over by Mr Justice Edward Amoako Asante, has adjourned the case to July 16, 2015 for hearing.
In adjourning the case, the court directed lawyers for the two parties to file all the necessary court documents to ensure that the case did not suffer any more adjournments.
According to the judge, time was of essence as he wanted the case to progress before the beginning of the annual judicial vacation at the end of July.