Court Freezes Seplat Co-Founder Orjiakor’s Accounts, Assets Over Alleged Indebtedness to Access Bank 

 

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos, has granted an order freezing the bank accounts and assets of the Co-Founder and former Chairman, Seplat Energy, Dr. Ambrosie Bryant Chukwueloka (ABC) Orjiakor over alleged indebted to Access Bank Plc.

 The court also restrained Orjiakor his agents, servants and/or privies or any other person or group of persons whatsoever under his authority or any other authority 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.

 The order of the court was sequel upon a Motion Ex Parte dated July 12, 2023 filed by Access Bank in  charge number: FHC/L/BK/08/2023.

 Aside Orjiakor also listed as respondents in the petition were Seplat Energy Plc, Helko Nigeria Limited, Neymeth International, Pharmaceuticals Plc,  Salvic Petroleum Resources Limited, Zebbra Energy Limited.

Others were 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 order read: “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 harbouring 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 harbouring 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 honourable 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.”

It stated further:  “That an order is hereby made authorising 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 authorising the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) or any other law enforcement agencies to assist the bailiffs of this honourable court in the execution of the orders of this honourable 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.”

Wale Igbintade

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