Sunday, 8 April 2012

Court restrains Dangote over Okotie-Eboh’s house

First Republic Finance Minister, the late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh

Hello Friends!
More News from the stable of The Punch:

A Lagos High Court, in Igbosere has ordered Dangote Nigeria Limited to stop construction work on one of the houses owned by First Republic Finance Minister, the late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh.

Justice Ayotunde Phillips, at a pre-trial session on Friday, ordered work on the premises to stop, warning that the court would visit the wrath of the law on those behind the company if the order was not complied with.

The late minister’s company, Festus Okotie-Eboh and Sons Limited, six of the deceased’s children and a firm, Maidaville Properties Limited, in 2009 sued Dangote Nig Ltd, along with Mrs. Alero Jadesimi (one of Okotie-Eboh’s daughters) and five others.

The plaintiffs are challenging the purported sale of the property at 15 Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, to the company by Jadesimi.

 The former minister’s children among the plaintiffs are Dr. Clara Akele, Mrs. Grace Oduro, Bawo, Emmanuel, Adolo and Lawrence (who are directors in the company).

Directing Dangote’s lawyer, Obiora Ejike, to advise his client to comply with her order, Justice Philips said, “You should tell your client to stop building.


The court directed that you should maintain status quo, but your client proceeded to demolish the property. Now you are going ahead to rebuild. If the court has shown you respect, you should also show respect. Respect begets respect.

“Are you not aware that the court can give an order and all you have built will be demolished? This is my court. I will visit the wrath of the law on anybody, no matter who you are. I have the power to deal with the issue and I know what to do.”

Earlier, counsel for the parties had argued on which among the applications for contempt proceedings and that challenging the plaintiffs’ locus standi (right to sue) should be heard first.

Jadesimi’s counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, insisted that his application, challenging the plaintiffs’ locus standi should take precedence over the contempt proceedings instituted against Dangote Nigeria Ltd and Aliko Dangote.

Ejike also urged the court to stay proceedings on the grounds that his client had appealed an earlier order by the court.

He also said the processes of the contempt proceedings had yet to be served on his client.

xoxo
Simply Cheska...




 

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