Ifeanyi Uba’s posters take over Awka as judge slams Access Bank over London court order

By Robert Obi 

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday expressed great disappointment with action of Access Bank in ridiculing the Nigerian judiciary and constitution before a London Court, insisting that the development was not only condemnable, but also irresponsible.
Justice Okon Abang, in a ruling on an allegation of violent violation of court orders made by Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Patrick Ifeanyi Uba, against Access Bank and Coscharis Motors Limited, stressed that it was indeed unfortunate that the respondents could express lack of confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary by their actions.
This is as Uba’s poster for the 2013 gubernatorial election flooded Awka, capital city of Anambra State, on Monday.
Access Bank, Coscharis and Uba, it would be recalled, had been locked in fierce legal battle over a loan facility.
Justice Abang had restrained Access Bank and Coscharis from tampering with the assets of Capital Oil and Gas Limited pending the conclusion of a case filed by Uba against them.
The court had also restrained the respondents from doing anything against the business interests of Uba and Capital Oil.
But Uba’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), had informed the court that after the orders were made, the respondents approached a London court, and thereafter secured an order that violates the existing orders of the Federal High Court in Nigeria.
Irked by the development, Justice Abang stressed that it was highly disappointing that the respondents could approach a London court in respect of a subject matter, which he had earlier made specific pronouncements on.

The judge, however, ordered Access Bank to withdraw all the processes before the London court and any other courts worldwide, which touch on the same subject matter before him.
Justice Abang also restrained the respondents from taking steps to enforce the orders of the London court, which were made against the business interests of Uba and Capital Oil.
The judge stressed that Uba was at liberty to seek the permission of the court to commence civil contempt against the principal officers of Access Bank and Coscharis.
Justice Abang directed the defendants to present the notice of discountenance of the case before the London court to him at the next adjourned date, which is February 4.
Uba’s posters, which came in two different designs, had as its sponsors, Anambra Progressive Youths. The posters urged him to contest for the forth-coming governorship election.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Coordinator of Anambra Progressive Youths, Joe Nwuba, said “We are the originators of those posters and we make bold to state that this man is the man Anambra needs.
“He is a successful businessman and he is a youth. He appreciates the problems of Anambra people and he will deliver as promised”.
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