Med-View Airline has described as an abuse of court process, the invasion of its properties at Ikeja and Lekki area of Lagos State on Monday by one of its bankers, First Bank Nigeria PLC over an alleged N4 billion debt.
The airline through its counsel, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) said that its client’s properties were invaded by a team of policemen under the guise of executing a court order by the bank.
The counsel condemned the invasion, insisting that the bank violated court proceedings.Reading from a copy of the ex-parte order made by Hon Justice Lawal Akapo in Suit No. ID/6251/GCMW/22 delivered on November 22, the Med-View counsel stressed that this did not include taking possession or sealing of the properties of the airline.
Rather, he said Justice Akapo ordered for a preservation of the assets of the airline, from sale or other alienation pending compliance with the pre-action protocol procedure by First Bank who is yet to file an action in respect of the alleged debt.
According to Lawal, the second and third ex parte orders secured by the bank were granted by Hon Justice Oluyemi in Suit No ID/6241/GCMW/22 and ID/6243/GCMW/22 both delivered on November 22, to take over the residential house of the Managing Director of the Airline situated at Olabanji Olajide Street off Admiralty way Lekki Phase 1, pending compliance with pre action protocol procedures by the bank.
He expressed disappointment at Monday’s invasion and sealing of its client’s properties at Ikeja and Lekki area of the state.
He said, “That we have held meetings with the bank officials and exchanged correspondence on amicable resolution of any outstanding debt and for the parties to resume normal banking relationship.
“So, it came to us as a rude shock this morning (Monday) when policemen invaded our clients properties in Ikeja and Lekki, chased everyone away and sealed the properties as if final judgement had been awarded in favour of the bank on the alleged debt.
“We believe that this is an illegality and an institution like First Bank with full complement of a legal department and which we owe in high esteem should not be involved in this type of action. We are taking appropriate steps to seek justice and remedy for our clients by due process of law,” he said.
