In Jos, the capital of Plateau State, a local court has decided to seize a property owned by the Jos branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).Â
The court order, signed by the registrar, specifies the seized property as an Innoson IVM Double Cabin vehicle with registration number KUJ696DD and chassis number LTA12H2P4P9103551.
This legal action stems from a case involving John Eche Okpe, a Legal Practitioner in Jos, and the CBN. The order was issued by Honourable Justice N.D. Shaseet, and the notice of seizure was provided to the media in Jos on Saturday.
The case, identified by the number PLD/J397/m/2023, involves John Eche Okpe seeking to enforce a judgment against the Federal Government of Nigeria and some of its agencies, including the CBN.
The garnishee order nisi amounted to N10 million, and it was made absolute by Justice N.D. Shaseet on November 1, 2023.
Despite the order becoming absolute, the CBN has not complied, leading to the necessity of seizing property.
The total amount for which the writ has been issued is now N12,206,900, inclusive of legal fees and expenses. The property is scheduled to be sold within five days, starting from December 22, 2023.
The notice warns that the attached property is prohibited from being sold or having any rights, title, or interest transferred.
If the total amount stated is paid to the bailiff within an hour after the service of the notice, no further fees or expenses will be incurred.
However, if the amount is not paid, the property may be subject to a daily fee for possession and other responsible expenses until the amount levied is paid or the property is sold.
In a recent development, the judge issued a warrant of arrest against the state Controller of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Jonah Akama, for disobedience to a court order in the same suit. The arrest warrant, signed by Honourable Justice N.D. Shaseet, directs any police officer to arrest Mr. Akama due to his failure to appear before the court regarding the case with John Eche Okpe.
When approached for comment, the Counsel to CBN, A. A. Adewole, declined to react on the issue.
