A Lagos division of the Federal High Court has granted an ex-parte order freezing the bank accounts and assets belonging to Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka (ABC) Orjiakor the Co-Founder and former Chairman of Seplat Energy.
The court granted the order on Wednesday restraining Dr. Orjiakor, his agents, servants, or any entity under his purview from any form of transaction, withdrawal, or tampering with his financial holdings in any Nigerian bank or financial institution.
The order was granted following an ex-parte application brought before it by Access Bank PLC dates July 12, 2023 alleging the respondent’s indebtedness to the bank.
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Court`s decision
Ruling on the application marked: FHC/L/BK/08/2023, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, granted the order sought by the bank.
The court restrained Dr. Orjiakor, his agents, servants, or any entity under his purview from any form of transaction, withdrawal, or tampering with his financial holdings in any Nigerian bank or financial institution.
This restrictive measure will remain operative until the forthcoming hearing and subsequent determination of the Motion on Notice.
Respondents in the suit include: Dr. Orjiakor, Seplat Energy Plc, Helko Nigeria Limited, Neymeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, Salvic Petroleum Resources Limited, and Zebbra Energy Limited.
Others are:ORDREC Group Limited, Helko Marine Services Limited, Pondents 8, Berwick Nigeria Limited, Abbeycourt Petroleum Company Limited, Abbeycourt Energy Services Limited, Abbeycourt Company Limited, and Pursley Resources Limited
The court granted the following order;
“That an Interim Order is hereby ordered restraining the debtor (Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiakor), his agents, servants and/or privies or any other person or group of persons whatsoever under his authority or any other authority (howsoever derived or sourced) from operating, withdrawing from or otherwise tampering and/or dealing with his funds in any bank and/or financial institution within Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for the appointment of a Special Manager filed along herein.
“That a consequential order is hereby made:. directing and/or compelling all banks/financial institutions harboring the debtor’s. (Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiako) account(s) to depose to oath the sums standing to the credit of the debtor (Dr.Ambosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiakor) in their custody with seven days from being served with a copy of the order of court.
“That Interim Order is hereby made restraining the respondents from dealing with shares, investments, bonds, assets, funds howsoever described belonging to the Debtor (whether held by him directly or via proxy) in their custody and/or in custody of any bank/financial institution pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice for the appointment of a Special Manager filed along herein.
“That a consequential order is hereby made directing and/or compelling respondents harboring the debtor’s (Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiakor) shares, assets, bonds, funds howsoever described, whether held directly by the said Debtor or via proxy, to depose on Oath the shares, assets, investments, sums etc,’ standing to the credit of the Debtor (Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiakor) in their custody within 7 (seven) days from being served with a copy of the order of the court.
“That an Interim order is hereby made restraining the debtor (Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka Orjiakor), his agents, Servants and/or privies from interfering with, tampering, removing from jurisdiction of this honorable court his funds, investments, bonds, shares, pecuniary and other beneficial interests in all banks, financial institution and/or company in Nigeria principally in Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited, Allenne Limited and in the Respondents pending the hearing and final determination of the Motion on Notice for the appointment of a Special Manager filed along herein.”
“That an order is hereby made authorizing the creditor herein to take over and preserve all the assets of the debtor, whether same may be found, specifically the following properties belonging to the debtor be it directly or via proxy: No. 25A, Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, No. 6, Agodogba Avenue, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos. No. 10C, Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, No. 11, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, No. 175A, Moshood Olugbani Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, 1034B, Ologun Agbaje Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Plot 144; lyeowuna Drive (Off Peter Odili Road), Port Harcourt, No. 81, Woji Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt, and the debtor’s country mansion in Uli, Thiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria.
“That an order is hereby made authorizing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) or any other law enforcement agencies to assist the bailiffs of this honorable court in the execution of the orders of this honorable court made herein. And any other properties owned by the debtor, wherever the same is found or situated pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed in the suit herein.”