The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, resolved to probe the Bank of Industry, BOI over alleged seizure and sale of industrial equipment belonging to Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited in 2009.
This was sequel to a petition address to the House by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited, Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh against the Bank of Industry over the seizure of 327 industrial machines and the fraudulent sale of some parts thereof.
In the petition read on the floor of the House by Member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere during plenary on Tuesday, the petitioner sought the intervention of the House to address the alleged undue seizure of the machines.
The petition titled, “Petition Against Staff(s) of Bank of Industry for Seizure of 327 Ashford Machines Since 2009 and Fraudulent Sale of Parts of the Equipment”, recalled that in 2006, Mr. Ezeh approached the Bank of Industry and obtained a loan of N89.5 million (approximately $535,000 at that time) to expand the production capacity of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited.
However, the petition claimed that the Bank officials frustrated the transaction leading to the seizure of 327 industrial machines imported by the company.
Presenting the petition on the floor of the House, Ugochinyere said, “Mr. Speaker, I have a petition from Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh from Akokwa, CEO of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited, my constituent.
“He is seeking the intervention of the House of Representatives in retrieving 327 industrial machines owned by Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited, which were unduly seized by the Bank of Industry since 2009.
“In 2006, he approached the Bank of Industry and obtained a loan of N89.5 million (approximately $535,000 at that time) to increase the production capacity of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited.
“However, according to his petition, Bank of Industry officials frustrated the entire transaction, leading to the seizure of the 327 industrial machines belonging to the company. Detailed facts of the petition are contained in a copy attached herewith. Please accept, Mr. Speaker, the assurance of my esteemed regards.”
Ruling on the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas referred it to the House Committee on Public Petitions for further legislative action.
Photo: Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State during plenary on Tuesday.
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