The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo, yesterday adjourned its decision on a request to interpret its orders in a bankruptcy case brought by Access Bank against businessman Ambrosie “ABC” Orjiakor until October 3.
As a result of Orjiakor’s alleged failure to pay Access Bank the $101 million he reportedly owes, the bank filed the lawsuit FHC/L/BK/08/2023.
Seplat Energy, Helko Nigeria, Neimeth International Pharma, Salvic Petroleum Resources, Zebbra Energy, Ordrec Group, Helko Marine Services, Berwick Nigeria, Abbeycourt Petroleum Company, Abbeycourt Energy Services, Abbeycourt Company, and Pursley Resources are listed as respondents.
On July 26, the Judge froze Orjiako’s accounts and property in response to an ex-parte application brought by Access Bank’s attorney, Kunle Ogunba (SAN).
He made several decisions, among them that the order continues while the bank’s request for the appointment of a special management is being considered.
Ogunba headed a team of attorneys for the creditor when the matter was reopened yesterday, while Anthony Idigbe (SAN) represented Orjiakor.
A. C. Onuoha represented the fifth and sixth respondents, while Oluwakemi Balogun (SAN) led a team for Zenith Bank/party affected by preservative order of court. Opeyemi Adekoya represented the first respondent. Babajide Koku (SAN) headed a team for the second through twelfth respondents.
For the banks, there were additional legal counsel.
Ogunba informed the court that Orjiakor violated the law when he entered the premises at 25A Lugard Avenue in Ikoyi with the help of his private security guards.
Koku maintained that the order was carried out by court bailiffs. It was contested.
The senior attorney notified the judge that he had a request to modify or fix what was allegedly an error in the court’s August 17 order.
Following arguments, the court decided to examine Koku’s request to interpret the preservation orders in light of the latest postponed date’s modification.
He advanced his application and adopted his additional affidavit and point-of-law reply.
Ogunba accepted the counter affidavit and written address submitted by the creditor in opposition to the application.
As a result, the judge postponed until October 3.
CC: The Nation