$85.8m ‘Debt’: Appeal Court Unfreezes Seplat’s Accounts, Suspends Mareva Order

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division yesterday suspended an order of Mareva injunction which froze the accounts of an oil firm, Seplat Petroleum Development Company over an alleged $85.8million legacy debt.

The Appellate Court overturned the decision of Justice Rilwan Aikawa of a Federal High Court in Lagos that granted the Mareva injunction last November 23, in a suit by Access Bank against SEPLAT over the debt.

Other defendants in suit are Cardinal Drilling Services Limited, Mr. Orjiako Ambrosie Bryant and Kalu Nwosu.

Justice Aikawa had granted the Mareva injunction following the bank’s argument canvassed by its counsel, Kunle Ogunba, SAN.

The judge also ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and their Deputies and Assistants to assist the Receiver/ Manager in his lawful duties over the assets of SEPLAT pending the hearing and final determination of the suit.

Ogunba had told the court, among others, that the order was necessary to preserve the res from being disposed of before the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The assets affected by the Mareva order included; 25, Lugard Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, 6, Agodogba Avenue, Parkview, Ikoyi, Lagos and the one at 11, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Dissatisfied, SEPLAT appealed against ruling and urged the Appeal Court to suspend the order pending the hearing of the appeal.

But in its ruling delivered by Justice Joseph Ikyegh (presiding), supported by Justice Umaru Abubakar Sadiq and Justice Bayero Abdullahi-Mahmud, the appeal court held that there was substance in the appellant’s application adding that the mareva injunction granted by the lower court could cause irreparable damage to the operations of the appellant’s businesses.

Justice Ikyegh held that the fear entertained by Access Bank that lifting the order would amount to treating substantive issues at interlocutory stage was unfounded and not based on facts.

Justice Ikyegh further held that the first defendant (Access Bank) did not challenge or contravene the crippling effect on appellant’s businesses which may lead to a termination of gas supply to electricity generating companies and may cause power blackout in some parts of the country.

Consequently, the court ordered that the company’s sealed offices should be opened with immediate effect.

“I find substance in the application and thereby suspend the order of Mareva injunction granted by the lower court. All the bank accounts operated by the applicant are unblocked for transactions,” Justice Ikyegh held.

The Court however ordered SEPLAT to provide a bank guarantee in the sum of $20 million USD with a reputable bank in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court.

After the ruling, counsel to the appellant, Etigwe Uwa, SAN informed the court that SEPLAT had already complied with the order.

He told the court that SEPLAT on Thursday, January 21, 2021 deposited the sum of $20 million with Zenith bank in anticipation of the decision of the court.

Thenigerialawyer

Related Articles

138 COMMENTS

  1. Excellent items from you, man. I’ve understand
    your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful.
    I actually like what you have obtained here, really
    like what you’re stating and the way in which during which you say
    it. You make it entertaining and you continue to care for to stay it smart.
    I can’t wait to read far more from you. That is actually a great website.

    Here is my web blog – http://bitcointalk.jp/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=erastock9

  2. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew
    of any widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter
    updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this.
    Please let me know if you run into anything. I
    truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

    my homepage :: http://www.bsaa.edu.ru

  3. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?
    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough
    time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.

    The reason I ask is because your design seems different
    then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

    Here is my blog post … https://spamdb.science/wiki/Does_Minecraft_Server_Hosting_Sometimes_Make_You_Feel_Silly

  4. Hey there! This post could not be written any better! Reading
    this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this.
    I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have
    a good read. Thanks for sharing!

    Also visit my homepage :: 230news.com

  5. This is the perfect blog for everyone who really
    wants to understand this topic. You know so much its
    almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa).
    You certainly put a new spin on a topic that’s been discussed for many years.
    Excellent stuff, just excellent!

    my web site 6ukj.com

  6. Undeniably imagine that that you said. Your favourite reason appeared to be
    at the web the simplest thing to take into accout of. I say to you, I
    certainly get irked whilst people think about concerns
    that they just don’t know about. You controlled to hit
    the nail upon the top and defined out the entire thing with no need side effect , folks
    can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more.
    Thanks

    Also visit my web blog http://cqms.skku.edu/b/lecture/1232486

  7. Hi there, I found your web site by the use of Google at the same time as searching for a related topic, your site came up,
    it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hi there, simply became aware of your blog thru Google, and located that it’s truly informative.
    I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate when you continue this
    in future. A lot of people can be benefited out of your writing.

    Cheers!

    Feel free to surf to my site – http://www.video-bookmark.com

  8. Fantastic items from you, man. I have take into accout your stuff previous to and you are simply extremely magnificent.

    I really like what you have acquired here, certainly
    like what you’re saying and the way in which during which you assert it.
    You are making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep
    it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous site.

    Review my webpage … familymedcenter.kz

  9. Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I
    was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice methods and
    we are looking to swap methods with other folks, why not shoot me
    an email if interested.

    my homepage – gdeotveti.ru

  10. Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest
    authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would love to
    have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.

    My site … appdev.163.ca

  11. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that
    you ought to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but typically folks don’t
    speak about such topics. To the next! Many thanks!!

    Here is my web-site … qooh.me

  12. Definitely believe that that you said. Your favorite reason appeared
    to be at the net the easiest factor to remember of. I say to you,
    I definitely get annoyed even as other folks consider issues that they just don’t know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest as neatly as defined out the entire thing
    without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thank you

    my homepage … http://forum.umbandaeucurto.com/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=bookpriest2

  13. Simply desire to say your article is as amazing.

    The clearness in your post is just cool and i can assume you’re
    an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me
    to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

    Here is my blog … sy714.net

  14. Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your website in web explorer,
    could check this? IE nonetheless is the market chief and a big portion of other people
    will pass over your great writing due to this problem.

    Look at my web page atavi.com

  15. Hi there, I believe your blog could be having browser compatibility problems.
    When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it
    has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick
    heads up! Besides that, fantastic site!

    Also visit my web site umanfootball.com.ua

  16. I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as
    with the layout on your weblog. Is this a
    paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a
    nice blog like this one these days.

    My site cutt.us

  17. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.

    I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue
    this in future. A lot of people will be
    benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    My web-site … fakenews.win

  18. Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed!

    Extremely helpful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot.
    I was looking for this certain information for a long time.
    Thank you and good luck.

    Have a look at my page: forum.mesign.com

  19. I’ve been surfing on-line more than three hours today,
    yet I never discovered any interesting article like yours.
    It is lovely value enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and
    bloggers made good content material as you did, the internet might be much more useful than ever before.

    my webpage: discuss

  20. I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing issues with your website.
    It seems like some of the text in your content are running off
    the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know
    if this is happening to them as well? This could be a problem with my browser because I’ve
    had this happen before. Appreciate it

    Also visit my page: gto5767.com

  21. Just desire to say your article is as amazing.
    The clarity in your post is simply cool and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post.
    Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

    Here is my blog post; ansreply.com

  22. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this excellent blog!

    I guess for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
    I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my
    Facebook group. Talk soon!

    Feel free to surf to my web site: canamkart.ca

  23. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a
    collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative
    in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on.
    You have done a marvellous job!

    Stop by my webpage; mnasaty.net

  24. Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
    I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a
    difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.

    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely
    unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    my webpage – http://xn--80apgoegfd8d.xn--p1ai/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=flightplanet3

  25. Someone necessarily help to make severely articles I’d state.
    That is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far?
    I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual submit incredible.
    Wonderful task!

    Feel free to visit my webpage :: bbs.rss.game.tw

  26. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to
    rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains.
    If you know of any please share. Thank you!

    Review my blog post: mashaleilm.com

  27. Superb blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?

    I’m planning to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
    Would you propose starting with a free platform
    like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so
    many choices out there that I’m totally confused ..

    Any tips? Cheers!

    Feel free to visit my website: Lucille

  28. Hello superb website! Does running a blog similar to this take a lot of work?
    I’ve very little expertise in computer programming however I was
    hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any ideas or tips for new blog owners please share.
    I understand this is off topic but I simply needed to ask.
    Appreciate it!

    Review my web site :: 1인샵

Stay Connected.

1,169,000FansLike
34,567FollowersFollow
1,401,000FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles