By Louis Achi
Following a bankruptcy suit filed by Access Bank Plc against billionaire businessman Ambrosie “ABC” Orjiakor, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Tuesday, adjourned till October 3, to rule on an application to interpret its orders.
Access Bank filed the suit FHC/L/BK/08/2023, following Orjiakor’s default to pay the $101 million he allegedly owes the bank.
Listed as respondents are Seplat Energy; Helko Nigeria; Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals; Salvic Petroleum Resources; Zebbra Energy; Ordrec Group; Helko Marine Services; Berwick Nigeria; Abbeycourt Petroleum Company; Abbeycourt Energy Services; Abbeycourt Company and Pursley Resources.
On July 26, while granting an ex-parte motion filed by Access Bank’s lawyer, Kunle Ogunba (SAN),
the judge froze Orjiako’s accounts and assets over alleged indebtedness.
Justice Oweibo ruled, among others, that the order subsists pending determination of the bank’s motion for appointment of a special manager.
When the case resumed Tuesday, Ogunba led a team of counsel on behalf of the creditor, whereas Anthony Idigbe (SAN) represented Orjiakor
Opeyemi Adekoya was for the first respondent, Babajide Koku (SAN) led a team for 2,3,4,7,8,9,10,11 and 12th respondents, A. C. Onuoha was for the fifth and sixth respondents while Oluwakemi Balogun (SAN) led a team for Zenith Bank/party affected by preservative order of court.
There were other legal representations for the banks.
Ogunba informed the court that Orjiakor carried out an unlawful conduct by (in the company of his private security men) invading the property at 25A Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, in defiance of the orders of court.
Koku argued it was the bailiffs of the court that executed the order. This was disputed.
The senior lawyer informed the court he had an application to vary or correct a purported error in the order of the court made on August 17.
After submissions, the court agreed to hear Koku’s application to interpret the preservative orders; vis a vis variation at the last adjourned date.
He moved his application and adopted his further affidavit and reply on point of law.
Ogunba adopted the creditor’s counter affidavit and written address filed in response to the application.
Consequently, the judge adjourned till October 3.
