The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and Meta Platforms, Inc., will, on Nov. 3, adopt the terms of settlement in the dispute on the $32.8 million fine imposed against the latter by the regulatory agency.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja fixed the date following the inability of Meta’s lawyer, Fred Onuobia, SAN, to file the processes on time.
According to reports Onuobia, on Oct. 3, had informed the court of Meta’s plan to reconcile with NDPC in the suit the American multinational technology company filed seeking to quash the regulatory agency’s sanction.
The lawyer had told the court after Justice Omotosho had prepared to deliver a ruling on NDPC’s preliminary objection against the suit filed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram.
Onuobia begged the court to defer the ruling on NDPC’s preliminary objection and the ruling on the motion on notice to amend their suit.
He told the court that the parties had reached an advanced stage on settlement in the case.
He said the parties “are afraid” that the ruling might affect discussions on settlement.
And after NDPC’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, confirmed Onuobia’s submission, the judge fixed today (Oct. 31) for either adoption of terms of settlement or ruling.
When the case was on Friday, Onuobia, who also appeared for Meta Platforms, Inc., told the court that parties had reached a settlement.
He, however, apologised to court that though Meta had prepared to settle with NDPC, he was only able to file their documents this morning.
He acknowledged breaching the court protocol for filing processes earlier before proceedings.
He said the development was due to circumstances beyond their control.
“We may ask for a standdown so that the copy for the court can be filed my lord,” Onuobia prayed.
But the judge, who declined to grant application for standdown, said he must perused the terms of settlement thoroughly before delivering his ruling on it.
The judge told the lawyer that it had always been his practice to go through processes filed before his court.
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