The Trovan Victims Association, Kano, on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to intervene in the lingering dispute between Pfizer Inc. of America and the victims of the 1996 meningitis clinical trial.
Alhaji Mustapha Maisikeli, the Chairman of the association, made the call in Kano while addressing newsmen on the progress of the case.
He said the association had forwarded its complaints to the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan and members representing Kano State in the National Assembly.
Maisikeli said the association would go back to court in Nigeria and the U.S. if Pfizer failed to honour the agreement entered into after the interventions by government.
“We were given the right by the U.S. Supreme Court to further file a case against Pfizer if it failed in its obligations. An Abuja Court is also going to listen to our case later in November.
“We intend to keep to our pledge of making an out-of-court settlement as agreed at our various meetings with Kano State Government, our lawyers and that of Pfizer.’’
He said that only six of the 200 victims were compensated.
“’Out of the 75 million dollars released for compensation, the legal fees of 10 million dollars was paid to Kano State Government.
“Arrangement is also being made for the disbursement of 35 million dollars for the construction of a health facility in Kano.
“The issue is that only six victims have been paid out of the 35 million dollars agreed to be given to the victims.’’ (NAN)
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