COURT GRANT ORDER TO SERVE PFIZER IN U.S

A federal high court sitting in Abuja this morning granted the request sought by the Attorney - General of the Federation to serve court processes on staff of Pfizer Incorporated and Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals who are non nationals in their places of residence in the United States of America, through a reputable courier company.

The AGF in a motion ex-parte had sought leave of court to to issue the writ of summons and other court processes on William Steer, Scot Hopkins Debra Williams and Mike Dunne, all foreign nationals working with the drug manufacturers who are co-defendants in the matter, by means of a reputable courier service.

In an affidavit in support of the Motion Ex Parte, the AGF informed the court that these defendants, who are all necessary parties to the determination of the suit are not resident within the jurisdiction of the court. They all reside in the United States of America.

Pfizer Incorporated was dragged before the court over a test conducted in Kano which led to the death of thousands of children in the wake of an epidemic in 1986 for which the federal government is asking for billions of dollars as compensation.

In granting the order, Justice Babs Kuewumi noted the need for the defendants to be duly served and directed that service be effected on the foreign nationals through the services of DHL.