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Tag: Bi-Courtney

  • Bi-Courtney unveils MMA2KIARace

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), has unveiled its  online competition, titled: MMA2KIARace.

    The promo,  according to the spokesman of the  firm , Mr Remi Ladigbolu,  is Instagram-driven and can be accessed by fans on the new MMA2 corporate website: www.mma2.com.ng, its Twitter handle i: @MMA2-Bicourtney and Facebook page: MMA2Bicourtney.

    Ladigbolu said the online competition being the first-of-its-kind competition is designed by Gr8n, a marketing communications firm, aimed at further encouraging the public to embrace available online resources to conduct their businesses and social interactions.

    According to him: “Participants are expected to follow the MMA2KIARACE handle on instagram @mma2kiarace, repost and simply follow the given instructions.

    The competition, like past innovations by BASL, is inspired by the conviction that Nigeria can no longer afford to swim against the tide and must fully embrace the digital media for all its transactions and interactions, as is the case in developed parts of the world.

    “This will, undoubtedly, save a lot of time and resources currently being expended doing businesses that can easily be conducted within the confines of our homes and offices.

    It is in the pursuit of these objectives that BASL has redesigned the MMA2 website, with a vision to developing it into a one-stop platform for anything and everything aviation and much more.

    “For the competition, BASL is partnering brands such as Dana Air, Le Meridien, Microsoft Lumia, Levi’s, Swatch, TM Lewin, KFC and Pepsi, all in its bid to make the competition highly rewarding for not only the winner but also participants. The star prize is a new KIA Rio.”

     

  • Bi-Courtney: Debt dispute may shift to Supreme Court

    The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) may head for the Supreme Court in a bid to recover its alleged N50billion debt from Bi-Courtney Limited, the concessionaire of the Murtala Muhammad Airport, Terminal 2 Lagos.

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, last Wednesday dismissed AMCON’s appeal against a ruling by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N50 billion debt owed by Bi-Courtney Group.

    The ruling nullified an order appointing a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) as the receiver/Manager over the assets of Bi-Courtney, its Chairman, Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN), Chartered Investment Limited, Resort International Limited and Roygate Properties Limited.

    Justice Buba had held that the order by his colleague, Justice Okon Abang, was made in error and should not have been given when there were pending cases and subsisting orders on the same case.

    According to him, the true facts were not disclosed to Justice Abang. “This court, no doubt, has been misled,” the judge said.

    The appellate court presided over by Justice Sidi Bage upheld Justice Buba’s ruling. It added that the circumstances under which AMCON obtained the ex- parte order against Bi-Courtney Group amounted to an abuse of court process.

    The court resolved all the issues formulated by the parties against AMCON and dismissed the appeal in its entirety.

    The court held that the orders obtained by AMCON were in direct conflict with the subsisting orders of court and AMCON having failed to notify the court of the subsisting orders, and the fact that settlement had broken down, the orders granted by Justice Abang were a nullity.

    The Court of Appeal disagreed with AMCON’s contention that the previous suits pending between the parties, in which certain orders were made against AMCON and which orders were still extant, had been compromised and discontinued.

    According to Justice Bage, there was nothing in the record to show that the suits had been compromised and to that end, the actions of AMCON in commencing a new action and obtaining ex parte orders that were in direct conflict with subsisting orders of court, amounted to an abuse of the process of court.

    The court deprecated AMCON’s conduct and held that a party, who had submitted an issue for the determination of a court in a pending suit, should not take steps to undermine the integrity of the court and the judicial process by filing another action seeking the same reliefs.

    The appellate court considered the provisions of Section 49 and 50 of AMCON Act which entitles the corporation to file recovery actions and held that such powers must be properly exercised within the bounds of the law and in accordance with the rule of law.

    Babalakin said the Federal Government owes Bi-Courtney N132billion. According to him, the company is not indebted to AMCON.

    The senior advocate said the Federal High Court sitting Abuja ordered the Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to pay Bi-Courtney the sum.

    In the order made by Justice G. Olotu on April 5, 2012 in a suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/50/09, the judge had directed the AGF to pay N132, 540,580,304.00 to Bi-Courtney “being the sum due to be rendered and remitted to the applicant (Bi-Courtney).”

    The judge also directed Adoke “to mandatorily compel” the affected government institutions and bodies to make the payment “without any further delay” to Bi-Courtney.

    “Justice Olotu also made “an order directing the defendant/respondent, being the Chief Law Officer and legal representative of the government, to set off from the above mentioned sum of N132, 540,580,304.00 on any claims agreed with the plaintiff/applicant to be due from the plaintiff/applicant to any agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, including but not limited to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON),” the court order stated.

    Babalakin said AMCON’s assertion that Bi-Courtney is indebted to it is yet to be confirmed by any court.

     

     

     

  • Bi-Courtney donates patrol vehicle, office equipment to police

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), has donated operational equipment to the police as further demonstration of its unwavering commitment to its corporate social responsibility.

    The equipment, including a fully-equipped patrol car, two sets of computer with printers, two refrigerators and two flat-screen television sets, were handed over to the Commissioner of Police, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, during a familiarisation visit she made to MMA2, on Wednesday, March 25.

    While making the presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Mr. Christophe Penninck, who was assisted by some executive management staff, including the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi and the Group Head of Audit, Ms. Yosola Popoola, expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the command in securing the entire airport environment and ensuring there are no security issues.

    Penninck noted: “Our experience and interaction with the police have been excellent. We appreciate the good work you are doing. The fact that we don’t have any security issue and incident at the airport shows that things work. It is only where and when things don’t work that we have issues.

    “We have nothing negative to say about the police at the airport. We also understand the importance of intelligence and have always availed your people of any information we consider necessary for them to perform effectively. We are committed to making the police efficient at the airport.”

    In her response, Gimba described BASL as a “critical stakeholder in the Nigerian Aviation industry”, whose support is key to ensuring optimum performance by police.

    She said the command considered it important to open a direct channel of communication with the management of BASL to enhance the level of cooperation between the police and the company.

    She stated: “We believe it is appropriate to know all the stakeholders in the aviation industry, especially a critical stakeholder like Bi-Courtney. It is important for us to understand your challenges and expectations. When you know the people and are able to put a face to them and open a channel of communication, half of the problem is already solved.”

    Gimba added: “We are prepared to oblige you in any way we can better secure the airport environment. That is my primary mandate and I am willing to discharge it effectively. I am assuring you I will give it my best shot.”

    Gimba was accompanied on the visit by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in the command, Mr. Chuks Enwowu, Divisional Police Officer in-charge of MMA2, SP Gloria Sanni, the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Dennis Ifijen, among others.

  • Alleged fraud: Court discharges Babalakin, four others

    Alleged fraud: Court discharges Babalakin, four others

    Freedom came the way of chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin, on Monday as a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, discharged him from the N4.7 billion fraud allegation filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo also discharged four others charged along with him for similar offences.

    The four other defendants are – Babalakin’s companies, Stabilini Vision Limited, Bi-Courtney Limited and Alex Okoh and his company, Renix Nigeria Limited.

    Ruling in an application for quash of charges filed by Babalakin and co-defendants, Justice Lawal-Akapo, formulated four issues raised by the defendants to determine his ruling.

    The issues, according to the judge, are whether the EFCC can prosecute a defendant without fiat, whether James Ibori is a public officer, whether two prosecuting authorities can jointly sign a charge and whether the charge on the surface contains sufficient information.

    Justice Lawal-Akapo, however, resolved three of the issues in favour of the defendants and only upheld that the EFCC has the power to prosecute any criminal matter in court without fiat.

    The EFCC had arraigned Babalakin and co-defendant on a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action.

    The commission had alleged that Babalakin and his co-defendants fraudulently assisted former Delta State Governor, James Ibori ,to transfer huge sums of money through various parties to Erin Aviation account in Mauritius for the purchase of a plane.

    But the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

     

  • Bi-Courtney to instal facilities

    Bi-Courtney to instal facilities

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited plans to instal facilities at the new domestic terminal two of the Lagos Airport to boost self-check-in for passengers.

    According to the terminal operator, the facilities are part of efforts to improve services to airlines.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Bi-Courtney, Mr Christophe Pennick, said the installation of facilities is evidence of how to manage modern terminals.

    He said the firm was ready to assist other terminal operators on the use of the facility.

    Penninck said the firm would inaugurate facilitie soon, adding that Bi-Courtney will organise an event around the development to encourage other airports to install a similar system in their terminals.

    Penninck also said MMA2 “is in the process of completing the implementation of the latest version of the Common User Passenger Processing System (CUPPS)”.

    He said the IATA-compliant system, “makes it easier and more efficient to process passengers and increases the dwelling time in the terminal”.

    He said BASL has also instal new automatic gates, which, when operational, will ensure that only passengers with valid boarding pass can enter the secure zones.

    He said the company had made massive investment in the development of infrastructure in the terminal, including software and hardware upgrades of its passenger processing equipment and the installation of 14 additional check-in counters.

    He noted that the company would always look for opportunities to invest in new equipment, adding: “As promised last year, we increased the capacity of the check-in area. We installed a full Baggage Reconciliation System (BRS), which will soon go live together with the CUPPS and e-gates.

    This will make it possible to finally stop using manual bingo sheet and avoid baggage fraud. We installed two new escalators and a panoramic lift. We also replaced a lot of air conditioners throughout the terminal and hired a dedicated AC team to make sure the maintenance is constant.

    “We also ordered five additional elevators and an escalator, all of which have already been delivered. The installation is on-going and when this is completed, the car park will finally have two functioning lifts. We also plan to acquire two additional power generators.

    “To bring the terminal up to par with international airport terminals, we embarked on an extensive training of our staff. All security personnel of Bi-Courtney have received two-week ICAO-certified AVSEC training with the support of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

  • Bi-Courtney praises Chidoka

    Bi-Courtney praises Chidoka

    Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited has praised Minister of Aviation Mr. Osita Chidoka for his objective appraisal of the industry and “acknowledgment of the pre-eminence” of the second terminal of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2) being operated by the firm.

    Reacting to newspaper reports on Chidoka’s appraisal confirming MMA2 as the only airport terminal with high rating in the country, Bi-Courtney listed the benefits of privatisation and hailed the minister for his objective appraisal.

    The company also praised him for refusing to mislead the country on the true state of the nation’s aviation industry, and the positive steps he had taken to arrest the decay in the sector.

    MMA2 is a private sector response to infrastructure decay and deficit in Nigeria under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme of the Federal Government.

    The terminal, on concession to Bi-Courtney on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis, was inaugurated in 2007 for exclusive facilitation of domestic air passengers leaving or arriving Lagos.

    Chidoka, who last Tuesday briefed aviation reporters on his plans to tackle the many problems affecting the crisis ridden sector, cited a recent survey as he affirmed that only the MMA2 was rated highly among all the airport terminals in the country.

    According to Bi-Courtney, Chidoka’s comment is consistent with observations of top government functionaries, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who once stated that there are only two clean establishments in Lagos – the State Secretariat, Alausa, and MMA2.

    The minister also noted at the briefing that government was not comfortable with the report that none of the country’s airports ranks among the best 10 in Africa and among the best 20 in the world.

  • ‘Why court awarded Bi-Courtney N132b’

    ‘Why court awarded Bi-Courtney N132b’

    Following the failed attempt, on September 22, by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to take over the assets of billionaire businessman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) through a court order obtained by its lawyer, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) over a controversial N50 billion debt, there have been several claims and counter-claims by both parties.

    The dismissed order had empower Agbakoba as the receiver to take over the assets of Babalakin, including the domestic Murtala Mohammed Airport terminal II (MMA2) and the old Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi.

    On September 29, Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos, in response to Bi-Courtney’s contention, described steps taken by AMCON to obtain the order as an abuse of court process and subsequently set it aside.

    The dispute began shortly after the Murtala Mohammed Airport terminal two (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney, started operations in May 2007. The concession agreement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney for the construction and operation of the terminal provided for a coordinating committee with three representatives from the Federal Government and three from the concessionaire in the event of any dispute.

    Based on allegations that there were a series of breaches on the part of the Federal Government, the concessionaire approached the arbitration body, stating that it had been denied the exclusivity clause and several revenue sources in the concession agreement.

    According to reports, Bi-Courtney is expected to make its revenue from passenger traffic, cargo handling, parking space, advertisements, space rental, and fuel surcharge on every litter of petrol sold, among others, as these were the revenue streams on which a consortium of banks had based their financial projections and assumptions before they granted the firm a loan to build the terminal.

    The firm submitted to the arbitration body that the Federal Government was maliciously blocking these revenue streams by providing another terminal for the biggest airline operators. When Bi-Courtney started operating MMA2, only Chanchangi Airline was said to be flying from the terminal.

    Arik, and Virgin Atlantic, which later turned to Air Nigeria, were controlling between 60 to 70 per cent of the market; they were initially allowed to operate from the International Airport terminal. Aero was flying from its own station.

    Even, when Air Nigeria eventually moved to MMA2, the Federal Government allowed Arik and some other airlines to move their operations to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), which is next door to MMA2, and should have been part of the concessionaire’s terminal under the agreement.

    The firm also submitted that the spaces being let out at the GAT should have been part of its revenue, and that the government has also been denying it of revenue from advertisement space, fuel surcharge, and several other sources.

    Although Bi-Courtney claimed that it never made up to 50 per cent revenue from the terminal, it had paid over N11billion of its debts to the banks before the outstanding debt was transferred to AMCON.

    AMCON had bought the debt from the banks at N19billion, which Bi-Courtney felt was wrong. Babalakin contended that most of the debts of AMCON were bought at discounted value, but that of MMA2 was bought at 100 per cent, with no discount.

    When the MMA2 dispute was resolved in favour of Bi-Courtney by the coordinating committee, the unanimous decision was that the Federal Government was in breach of the agreement; that it should hand over the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) to Bi-Courtney, and ensure that all domestic flights originate from the concessionaire’s terminal.

    Although the Federal Government was represented at the arbitration panel, its agencies allegedly refused to comply with the resolution. This development made Bi-Courtney to seek redress at the court. After a review of the case, the court found that all the decisions of the coordinating committee were correct, and it reaffirmed the decision in a 2011 judgment.

    The court also asked the government to forward an account of all the revenues it has made, and Bi-Courtney was asked to present an account of all the revenue it has lost as a direct result of the breaches. Bi-Courtney complied, and the Federal Government did not. The court thereafter awarded N132billion to Bi-Courtney to compensate for the breaches.

    Six appeals were filed against this judgment – two by the unions, one by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), one by Ojemaie Holdings, the handlers of Arik, one by Arik, and one by the Attorney-General of the Federation. All the appeals were dismissed within four years.

    Despite the court judgment and the submissions of the arbitration panel, the government allegedly went ahead to develop the GAT in further breach of the agreement.

    Bi-Courtney believes the actions of the Federal Government and AMCON have grave implications for a nation that is dreaming of a private sector-led resuscitation of public infrastructure and the nation’s economy. It has also described the government’s action as a deliberate attempt to frustrate investments, commercial development and job creation in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, AMCON has since filed a notice of appeal of Justice Buba’s ruling and formulated four grounds before the appellate court. Some analysts see Babalakin’s travails as capable of discouraging investors.

     

  • IATA trains Bi-Courtney workers

    Poised to reposition the working environment and make it more conducive for travellers and other airport users, the management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), in conjunction with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has started a training workshop for workers of the company.

    The workshop, among other things, was designed to promote quality, effective and efficient services by airport professionals in the areas of management, marketing, operations and security.

    While declaring the workshop open, Bi-Courtney’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Christophe Penninck, said the company being a major player in the aviation industry, cannot operate in isolation, hence the need for constant collaboration with industry regulators, airline operators and other airport users all in a bid to ensure a more secure environment.

    “In order to do the job the way it is being done the world over, we need a more secure environment. As long as we relate with customers, we must be professional in our day-to-day conduct. This is not the first of its kind, and it will not be the last. The partnership with IATA is a good initiative in this stead, and could not have come at a better time than now,” the CEO said, adding that the workshop ultimately was not about obtaining paper or international certificate, but rather to do everything possible to satisfy the customers, ensure safety, security and other things that make travelling via the airport terminal a worthwhile experience.

    On his part, the Area Manager, South-West Africa, IATA, Mr. Samson Fatokun, noted that the organisation over the years, has been known for capacity building among professionals in the industry worldwide. He maintained that the training will go a long way to boost the morale of members of staff of BASL, hinting further that IATA trains about 200 candidates yearLY.

    Also, IATA’s External Instructor, Mr. Hatem Ibrahim, stated that the organisation was more than ready to partner with organisations in the area of capacity building. His words: “We are more than ready to partner with organisations in perfecting skills with those who have passed through trainings; we are here to support Bi-Courtney and it is for the benefit of all and sundry. It is not an exam class. It is rather for customers service boost. We enjoin participants to utilise it for something productive.”

    The Chief Financial Officer of BASL, Mr. Olushola Olayinka, while lauding the initiative, charged the participants to put in their best with a view to getting  something valuable from it, adding that the company has plans to send its officials for further training overseas.

    The training , which continues till next week, is being attended in batches by members of staff of BASL.

  • FG owes Bi-Courtney N132b – Babalakin

    FG owes Bi-Courtney N132b – Babalakin

    The Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), on Tuesday said the Federal Government owes the company N132billion.

    He said the company is not indebted to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), rather, AMCON and its principal (Federal Government) owe it.

    Babalakin while speaking through his law firm’s head of litigation, Mr. Tola Oshobi, at a news conference in his Lagos, said the Federal High Court sitting Abuja ordered the Federal Government, represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), to pay Bi-Courtney the sum.

    A copy of the order, made by Justice G. Olotu on April 5, 2012 in a suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/50/09, was made available to reporters.

    The judge had directed the AGF to pay N132, 540,580,304.00 to Bi-Courtney “being the sum due to be rendered and remitted to the applicant (Bi-Courtney).”

    The judge also directed Adoke “to mandatorily compel” the affected government institutions and bodies to make the payment “without any further delay” to Bi-Courtney.

    “Justice Olotu also made “am order directing the defendant/respondent, being the Chief Law Officer and legal representative of the government to set off from the above mentioned sum of N132, 540,580,304.00 on any claims agreed with the plaintiff/applicant to be due from the plaintiff/applicant to any agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, including but not limited to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON),” the court order stated.

    Babalakin said AMCON’s assertion that Bi-Courtney is indebted to it is yet to be confirmed by any court.

    “Conversely, Bi-Courtney’s position that it is not indebted to AMCON and that it is AMCON and its principal that are indebted to it, is premised upon a judgment of the court and not merely on Bi-Courtney’s assertion.

    “AMCON is of course an agency and integral part of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The judgment sum awarded to Bi-Courtney clearly exceeds AMCON’s unconfirmed allegations,” he said.

     

  • AMCON urges court to restrain Bi-Courtney, others from executing ruling

    AMCON urges court to restrain Bi-Courtney, others from executing ruling

    The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has prayed the Federal High Court in Lagos for an order restraining Bi-Courtney Ltd and its Chairman, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), from executing the September 29 ruling by Justice Ibrahim Buba.

    In an application with Notice for Injunction Pending Appeal, AMCON is seeking an order of injunction restraining the respondents, their agents or subsidiaries “from giving effect to the order”.

    Justice Buba made an order nullifying and discharging the ex-parte order of receivership, possession and freezing granted to AMCON by Justice Okon Abang on September 22.

    Justice Abang had appointed a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), as AMCON’s receiver/manager over the assets of Bi-Courtney, Chartered Investment Ltd, Resort International Ltd, Roygate Properties Ltd and their Chairman, Babalakin, for allegedly owing AMCON N50billion.

    AMCON is urging the court to grant the injunction to stop the companies from “dissipating their assets.”

    It said if they are not restrained, they can manage the assets in a way that can adversely affect its case at the appellate court.

    The applicant’s grounds are that after Justice Abang made the order, Justice Buba, based on oral application by the respondents’ counsel, vacated it.

    AMCON said being dissatisfied with Justice Buba’s ruling, it filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal seeking to set it aside.

    It added: “The present application is necessary to restrain the respondents from dissipating their assets and rendering nugatory the possible outcome of the appeal at the Court of Appeal.

    “This court has a duty to stay further proceedings in the matter pending the determination of the appeal to avoid foisting a fait accompli (a state of helplessness because a thing has already been done) on the Court of Appeal or rendering nugatory the applicant’s right of appeal guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.”

    The application, dated September 30, was filed on AMCON’s behalf by Messrs Babatunde Ogungbamila, Adebola Sobowale and Olusola Abiloye, of the law firm of Olisa Agbakoba & Associates.

    In its appeal, AMCON said Justice Buba erred in law and misdirected himself when he discharged Justice Abang’s order on the grounds that AMCON and Agbakoba suppressed materials facts.

    The appellant said there were pending cases between the appellant and the respondents over disputed, admitted and compromised debts.

    It said the cause of action filed before Justice Abang was different from the other cases and therefore was not an abuse of court process.

    Urging the appellate court to overrule Justice Buba, AMCON said the judge was legally wrong to arrive at the conclusion that Justice Abang was misled.

    It further averred that Justice Buba’s ruling setting aside Justice Abang’s orders was made without jurisdiction, adding that a court could not grant prayers not sought by any of the parties before it.

    Nullifying Justice Abang’s order, Justice Buba held: “This court has no doubt its process has been abused. It has been misled on the issue of settlement breaking down and obtaining orders ex-parte while cases are pending in court, with orders subsisting.

    “Where a court of law feels its orders are irregularly obtained, or its process abused, it shall deal with the process instantaneously, without any formality, to protect its integrity.

    “The order is a nullity, having been obtained ex-parte in the face of subsisting orders already made by this court and also which constitute an abuse of the court process. This court will not suspend it (the order).

    “The court has inherent jurisdiction to deal with abuse of its process and any conduct that impugns its integrity.

    “I so deem and set aside the orders of September 22 made by my brother Abang J. The court was misled. It is within the issues this court can deal with.”

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of AMCON’s application.