There was a victory in court today for Dr. Henry Canton, the beleaguered CEO of Citrus Products Beverage limited. The long drawn out saga to try and eject Canton from the top position of CPBL, fizzled in the court of Justice Minett Hafiz.
Hafiz's court was full to capacity today, mostly by members of the Citrus Growers Association who were there to witness the long anticipated ruling that they hoped would have dislodged Canton from his entrenched position with the company.
But less than 30 minutes after the court convened, the decision came down, and from the looks on the faces of the CGA Board members filing out of court this morning, it was not good news for them.
The judge denied the CGA's request for an interim injunction to remove Dr. Henry Canton as the CEO of the citrus industry processing company, CPBL. Hafiz ruled that she will not grant the intended declaration that the Plaintiffs were seeking but has ordered an early trial so that all the issues related to the case are disposed of expeditiously." In her ruling today, Justice Hafiz stated that "the court is not convinced by the evidence that Dr. Canton is the reason why CPBL is experiencing financial difficulties".
Canton has been a thorn in the side of the CGA for the past year, and so today's ruling by Hafiz did not go down too well with that group.
Attorney Elson Kaseke who represents the CGA told reporters this morning that he hadn't had a chance yet to read the judgment so he wasn't in a position to comment on the judge's decision. However, he was sure of one thing 'things are not rosy at CPBL'.
Jim McFadzean
"Is the CGA going to pursue this matter in trial?"
Elson Kaseke, Attorney
"So far as I know yes we are going to. Its banks holdings which brought the claim so the CGA were cited as the defendant and the attorney for banks holdings say they will amend their statement of claim and which will also allow us to prepare our defense at filing. But a part form that I am not read the judgment so I have to sit down and read the judgment now. I had other cases in court."
Reporter
"At what point will you able to comment to us about the judgment?"
Elson Kaseke, Attorney
"After I read the judgment. I have to read it first."
Jim McFadzean
"What was the CGA expecting from today's ruling by madam Hafiz?"
Elson Kaseke, Attorney
"Well the CGA have applied for an interim declaration that Mr. Canton be remove until the trial of this case. The judge of course in her wisdom instead of removing him order an early trial which to me more or less the same thing. She is going to expedite the trial."
Reporter
"So Mr. Canton remains as the CEO until a judgment is given."
Elson Kaseke, Attorney
"According to what I heard saying in court yes. I haven't read the judgment, I must emphasize that I haven't read the judgment yet."
According to Kaseke the Judge has set some timelines for the parties to meet, but as he understands it nothing is set in stone. June 17th he says is the likely date for the trial to get underway. Canton says he feels the judges' ruling is a vindication for him.
