N212m debt: Court freezes bank accounts, seizes property

Justice Tijjani Ringim of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has frozen the accounts of two defendants – Adeniyi Adeoye and Mopelola Adeoye – in all banks over their alleged N212,112,792.36 debt to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

The judge granted the interlocutory injunction, pending the determination of the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1763/2020, and froze all the accounts linked to their Bank Verification Numbers.

The court further authorised AMCON to take possession of Plot 5 Block 139, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Eti-Osa Lagos and No. 2 Adetoro Adelaja Street, Magodo GRA, Shangisha Lagos.

The judge made the order following AMCON’s ex parte application filed and argued by its counsel, Mr. C. O. Eze.

He held: “After careful consideration of the application and submissions of counsel, it is hereby ordered as follows: ‘An Interlocutory order is hereby granted to the claimant/applicant freezing the defendants’ accounts with the banks, pending the determination of this suit with respect to the defendants’ indebtedness in the sum of N212,112,792.36 on which interest continues to accrue.

‘An order is hereby granted to the applicant to take possession of (1) all that property is known as Plot 5 Block 139, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Eti-Osa Lagos as described in Survey Plan No LS/D/LA 516c situate at 6A Adebayo Doherty Street, Off Admiralty Way Lekki Phase 1 Lagos, which belongs to the 1st defendant as covered by the Certificate of Occupancy date May 12, 1997, and registered as No 79 on page 79 in volume 1997k kept at the Lagos State land registry, pending the determination of this suit.

‘All that property is known as Plot 10 Block A10, Shangisha Extension Residential Scheme Kosofe LGA as described in Survey Plan No LS/D/IKJ/1735 situate at No 2 Adetoro Adelaja Street, Magodo GRA Shangisha Lagos, which belongs to the defendants as covered by the Certificate of Occupancy date October 13, 2003, and registered as No 89 on page 89 in volume 2003R’.”

The court further ordered the defendants to declare all their assets anywhere in Nigeria and file same at the Registry of the Federal High Court within seven days of the service of this order to them.

It directed the banks to file and serve on the claimant’s counsel, within seven days of service of the order(s) on them, an affidavit disclosing the balances on the defendants’ accounts with the banks.

It also directed the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State) to assist the Bailiffs and or Deputy Sheriff of the court to enforce the orders.

The court adjourned till tomorrow for report of compliance.

(The Guardian)