A Galway-based Covid-19 vaccine distribution company is seeking High Court orders that would restrain a supplier from approaching the Nigerian government about vaccine distribution.
The company’s counsel, Andrew Fitzpatrick SC, instructed by Byrne Wallace solicitors, said various confidential disclosures about operational matters and proposals with the Nigerian government were made to Via Medica during the course of negotiations. It also approached Via Medica to explore the possibility of contracting their vaccination staff and logistical support service, he said.
Mr Fitzpatrick told the court that Via Medica allegedly subsequently approached the Nigerian Ministry for Health with proposals that bear a “remarkable similarity” to what 1492 had proposed. He submitted that the defendant used the information disclosed to “strike out on its own” with a pitch to the Nigerian government.Mr Fitzpatrick noted that the United Arab Emirates does not consider injunctive relief made on an ex-parte basis to be enforceable in its jurisdiction.