For alleged failure to settle an indebtedness of N998,618,351.13 million, a Federal High Court, Lagos, has in the interim placed a lien on the several bank accounts of a businessman, Dare Osamo.
In placing the lien on the businessman’s accounts, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa who presided over the court, restrained 19 commercial banks in Nigeria, from transferring, dealing with or paying over or disposing of, howsoever, any money to the tune of N998, 618,351.13 million, or any lesser sum, to the businessman and a company, Star Orient Nigeria Limited.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa also directed 19 banks to disclose to the Court on oath the sum total of the money in their custody belonging to the Star Orient Nigeria Limited and Dare Osamo.
The bank’s affected the the orders were: Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; Zenith Bank Plc; Fidelity Bank Plc; Polaris Bank Ltd; Stanbic Ibtc Bank Plc; Keystone Bank Ltd; Sterling Bank Plc; United Bank For Africa Plc; Union Bank Plc and Globus Bank Ltd.
Others are: First Bank Of Nigeria Ltd; Wema Bank Plc; Citibank Nigeria Limited; Standard Chartered Bank; Parallex Bank Ltd; Access Bank Plc; Ecobank Nigeria Ltd; Unity Bank Plc and Providus Bank.
The court made the interim orders while granting a motion Exparte marked FHC/L/CS/19/2025, filed by Barrister Nick Omeye, on behalf of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc and UTL Trust Management Services Limited.
In the motion Exparte, Omeye had asked the court for the following reliefs: “an order of Mareva Injunction restraining the 3rd to 21st respondents, their agents, privies and/or assigns from transferring, dealing with or paying over or disposing of, howsoever, any money to the tune of N998, 618, 351.13 (Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-One Naira, Thirteen Kobo) or any lesser sum, belonging to the 1st & 2nd defendants from the jurisdiction of this court pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
“An order of the Honourable Court directing the 3rd to 21st respondents to disclose to this Honourable Court on oath within 14 days from the date of service of the order of mareva, the sum total of the money in the custody of the 3rd to 21st respondents belonging to the 1st and 2nd defendants.
“An order of the Court directing the Inspector General of Police or the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command to give police assistance/protection to the 3rd Plaintiff/Applicant who has been appointed Receiver pursuant to All Assets Debenture Trust Deed dated 22nd February 2018 with certificate of registration dated 22nd May 2018 and Supplemental Debenture Trust Deed dated 22nd October 2018 with certificate of registration dated 16th November 2018, to enable the 3rd Plaintiff exercise receivership rights over the charged assets of the 1st defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
Omeye supported the motion Exparte with an affidavit deposed to by one Samson Newton, a written address and other documentary exhibits.
Ruling on the motion Exparte, Justice Lewis-Allagoa held that: “after careful consideration of the application and submission of counsel.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: “That an Order of Mareva Injunction is granted restraining the 3rd to 21st respondents, their agents, privies and/or assigns from transferring, dealing with or paying over or disposing of, howsoever, any money to the tune of N998, 618, 351.13 (Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-One Naira, Thirteen Kobo) or any lesser sum, belonging to the 1st & 2nd defendants from the jurisdiction of this court pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
“That an Order of the Hon. Court is granted directing the 3rd to 21st respondents to disclose to this Hon. Court on oath within 14 days from the date of service of the order of mareva, the sum total of the money in the custody of the 3rd to 21st respondents belonging to the 1st & 2nd defendants.
“That an Order of Court is granted directing the Inspector General of Police or the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command to give police assistance/protection to the 3rd plaintiff/applicant who has been appointed Receiver pursuant to All Assets Debenture Trust Deed dated 22nd February 2018 with certificate of registration dated 22nd May 2018 and Supplemental Debenture Trust Deed dated 22nd October 2018 with certificate of registration dated 16th November 2018, to enable the 3rd Plaintiff exercise receivership rights over the charged assets of the 1st defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.”
The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to May 2, for hearing of substantive suit.
