On two different occasions, the Management of the Bank of Industry, BOI has refused to appear before the House Committee on Public Petitions of the National Assembly in a petition brought against it by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited, Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh over alleged seizure of 327 industrial machines belonging to the company by the Bank since 2009 and fraudulent sale of parts of the equipment.
The Bank was summoned to appear before the Committee on November 7, 2024 following a petition filed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited, Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh in July this year over the matter.
When the hearing commenced on November 7, 2024 at the House of Representatives Room 429 (New Wing), Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh put up an appearance for himself and Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited while Nguveren Monica Dzuamo and Theresa Achime of Sam Aram & Co (Counsels to BOI), represented the Bank.
Speaking during the hearing, Mr. Ezeh said, “My name is Okey Justine Ezeh. I am the CEO of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited. I am an industrialist and an economist.
“I brought this petition to the National Assembly against the staff of the Bank of Industry for seizure of 327 industrial machines since 2009 and the fraudulent sale of parts of the equipment and since then, they refused us taking inventory of the equipment from that day till date.
“I brought this petition, this is my brief of argument and I hereby adopt everything here including our prayers.”
On her part, Dzuamo, speaking on behalf of her colleague, said, “My name is Nguveren Monica Dzuamo, here with my colleague, Theresa Achime, we are counsels to the Bank of Industry, the respondent to this case.
“We have just been briefed in respect to this matter. Our client reiterates deep respect for this honourable Committee. However, they are not present, they are unavoidably absent.
“So, on that note, we also request some time to be able to file the respondent brief and then, look at the facts of the matter”.
Asked if the Bank had been served the petition, Dzuamo responded, “We were just briefed.” On whether or not they had the petition, she replied, “No! Not in our care yet.”
However, the matter was thereafter adjourned until the 20th day of November, 2024. But when the hearing commenced on the adjourned date, the Management of the Bank was again, absent from the hearing. It chose to send in a written request dated 19th November, 2024 and addressed to the Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, requesting for an adjournment.
The letter reads, “We are the solicitors to the Bank of Industry Limited and the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (hereinafter referred to as “our clients”) and on whose instructions we write to you.
“We respectfully write to request for adjournment that can enable our clients to physically attend the hearing as instructed by you. We regret to inform you that the respondent is unavailable to attend the hearing scheduled for the 20/11/2024.
“We apologize for the inconveniences this request can cause to all the parties. Accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Meanwhile, the hearing was, however, adjourned until the 11th December, 2024 for continuation.
It will be recalled that Mr. Ezeh had earlier in July this year petitioned the House against the Bank over the alleged 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, 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: Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh (right) during the public hearing at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
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