A Nigerian court adjourned a national lawsuit until 19 January so the prosecution could serve court papers to one of the defendants.

Nigeria is seeking NGN 5.3 trillion (EUR 35.9 billion) in damages, which is roughly twice the size of its annual budget for public health costs, from British American Tobacco (BAT), Philip Morris International and Nigerian firm International Tobacco. It has accused the firms of targeting young smokers by promoting the sale of individual cigarettes and asked the court to ban cigarette sales to under-18s and curb advertising aimed at young people.
Government lawyer Dapo Akinoshun told a court in Abuja that Philip Morris had rejected court papers sent on three occasions by courier. Akinoshun appealed to be able to serve the papers through the Swiss embassy in Nigeria as a last resort. Judge Adamu Bello granted the application and adjourned the case until 19 January. It is the second time the court has had to adjourn the case.
The Nigerian government is seeking NGN 4.8 trillion as preventive damages for future expenses for cigarette-related diseases, NGN 136 billion as compensation to sick youths, NGN 250 billion in restitution and NGN 130 billion as punitive damages. (pi)