Jimoh Ibrahim, NICON to challenge AMCON takeover of assets – Newstrends
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Jimoh Ibrahim, NICON to challenge AMCON takeover of assets

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NICON Investment and billionaire businessman Jimoh lbrahim are set to approach the court for an order quashing the interim injunction obtained by AMCON against them.
AMCON had in a statement last week said it had taken over Ibrahim’s assets over an unsettled N70 billion loans obtained from Union Bank.
AMCON listed the assets as the building of NICON Investment Ltd at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja; NICON Hotels Ltd on Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, Off Gimbiya Street, Abuja and the building of NICON Lekki Ltd also on No. 5, Customs Street, Lagos.
Others are the building of Abuja International Hotels Ltd located on No. 3, Hospital Road, Lagos; another Property on Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja; the former Allied Bank Building on Mile 2, Oshodi ExpressWay, Apapa Road, Lagos; Energy House located on No. 94, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; NICON Building at No. 40, Madeira Street, Maitama, Abuja; a Residential Apartment at Road 2, House A14, Victoria Garden City, Lagos; NICON Hotels Building at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria Garden City, Lagos as well as the NICON Luxury Hotel’s Building, Garki I, FCT, Abuja.”
A report by The Nation said both NICON Investment and Ibrahim would plead before the court that the order granting AMCON possession of the assets was not properly obtained.
They are set to contend that AMCON did not avail the court of all the facts of the dispute between them.
Some of the questions they would want the court to answer are:
• How did AMCON secure a second interim injunction when the first injunction it obtained some years ago had allegedly been discharged?
• Did AMCON inform the court that on October 2, 2019 Justice Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in a suit it instituted against NICON Investment and others, held that in view of the facts contained in the affidavit before the court, the court was minded to stay proceeding in the suit pending the outcome of the suit before a Lagos high court presided over by Justice Oyefeso?
NICON Investment and Ibrahim are wondering if judicial notice was taken of Justice Oguntoyinbo’s ruling in which he said “the lone issue formulated for determination by the court is hereby resolved against the plaintiff (AMCON) and in favour of the defendants (NICON INVESTMENT).”
A NICON Investment executive, in an interview with The Nation, wondered whether Justice Aikawa’s attention was drawn to Justice Oguntoyinbo’s order before the temporary order granting AMCON the possession of the assets was given.
He said, “In the High Court of Lagos before Justice Oyefeso, Union Bank, in her statement of defence filed in court, admitted that Jimoh had a deposit of over £137 million.
“The bank prayed the court as follows: ‘an order for the sale of the funds standing to the credit of the pound sterling fixed deposit account maintained by the 1st defendant to the counter claimant; the proceed of which shall be applied in liquidation or part liquidation of the judgment sum as may be awarded against 1st and 2nd defendant counter claimants.”
According to him, the £137 million with Union Bank is three times higher than the amount he and his companies borrowed from the bank.
Besides, he claimed the bank acknowledged another deposit of £125 million from another company of his, Global Fleet Oil and Gas Limited, making a total deposit of £250 million with it 10 years ago at five per cent interest.
“Out of the total deposit of £250 million with Union Bank, £137million was used to secure the loan, he said adding, who is owing who?” he asked.
Ibrahim and his company, the executive said, are upbeat that AMCON cannot sustain the interim order against him and his companies “because there is no returnable date on the court file.”
He also claimed that AMCON “did not sign an undertaking for a temporary injunction in the event that facts were misrepresented to the court as requested by the rules of the Federal High Court.”
According to him, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), AMCON counsel in the new case had represented Union Bank in the suit before Justice Oguntoyinbo while Mr. Yusuf Alli (SAN), represented AMCON. Union bank, according to him, opposed AMCON joining the case at the Lagos High Court.

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I’m alive, Obasanjo reacts to death rumour 

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I’m alive, Obasanjo reacts to death rumour 

 

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he is alive, hale and hearty.

He stated this in reaction to rumours of his death being reportedly spread on some social media platforms.

He spoke in Osogbo, Osun State, during the inauguration of the Old-Garage/Oke-Fia Road reconstructed by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Obasanjo said those who wanted him dead were spreading the rumour of his death on the social media.

He said, “I heard the rumour that I was dead. I saw it on the social media. I quickly told my children and my relations that it was not true and that I’m alive.

“Those that want me dead, that is their wish, but God still keeps me alive.”

Obasanjo praised Adeleke for his performance in Osun and charged the governor to keep up the work.

Governor Adeleke assured the people of the state that his administration would complete all the ongoing projects.

“My dear people of Osun State, our administration has constructed over 120 kilometres of roads across the state.

“Two major flyovers are also progressing to completion at Osogbo while work is progressing at the Ile Ife Flyover and Ilesa dualisation.”

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

 

President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.

It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”

Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.

“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”

The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

 

A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.

The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.

He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.

This is  coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.

The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.

It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.

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