By Robert Egbe
The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has said it is the legal owner of Victory Park Estate, Lekki, Lagos, following a N12,966,510,191 judgment debt it won in court.
It said its ownership of the property was the outcome of the Federal High Court’s decision on October 3 2017, in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/744/17.
The corporation’s lawyer, Jide Olasite told newsmen in Lagos that the judgment was affirmed at the appellate court in June following the Justices’ dismissal of an appeal filed by Rev Olajide Awosedo.
He said any contrary claim is false, unless such person or persons had regularised their titles with AMCON.
Olasite spoke following allegations that AMCON sealed and damaged the home of a businessman in the estate, Adedayo Shittu, in defiance of an Ikeja High Court order.
Shittu had alleged that the judge made the order in suit LD/8418LMW/19 after dismissing a preliminary objection filed by Knight Rook Ltd, Mr Lanre Olaoluwa and AMCON.
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He further claimed that Mr Olaoluwa, who is AMCON and Knight Rook’s Receiver-Manager, led the police and thugs to carry out the destruction.
But addressing the allegations, Olasite and Olaoluwa, said Shittu’s claim to ownership was false, because AMCON, by virtue of the judgments, was the rightful owner. It also took possession the property since June.
They noted that Shittu, in compliance with the judgment, gave up possession of the property and acknowledged it in writing.
Olasite said AMCON had appealed the injunction, and that “the application is awaiting hearing.
“Olaoluwa was never there, Mr Olaoluwa’s involvement in the matter ended when the judgment of the Federal High Court was executed since June.”
He agreed that an injunction was issued against AMCON concerning the property, but that AMCON had filed an appeal.
AMCON said it is a victim of fraudulent activities and it is trying to prevent the loss of the N12.9 billion which is a judgment debt belonging to all Nigerians.
Olasite said: “As of today, AMCON has a judgment which has been confirmed for the sum of N12.9bn.
“This government came into power with a heightened priority concerning the recovery of AMCON’s debt because as of today, it amounts to over N5trn which is money that belongs to you and I.”
AMCON added that it needed to set the record straight as a result of incessant falsehood, fabrications, and half-truths being bandied about.
The institution called for the understanding and support of all Nigerians as it continues to engage with stakeholders in resolving the issues and realizing its debts.
“The money must be obtained, if AMCON is removed today, it will not change the fact that the property belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria because the court has said so.
“What can change it are the people engaging with AMCON to resolve the issue, they are victims but AMCON is a bigger victim,” Olasite added.
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