The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions is set to hear the petition brought before it by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited, Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh against the Bank of Industry, BOI over alleged seizure of 327 industrial machines belonging to the company by the Bank since 2009 and fraudulent sale of parts of the equipment.
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.
Meanwhile, in a summon/hearing notice signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, dated 16th day of October, 2024 which was sighted by our correspondent, the Committee invited the parties to appear before it in person on Thursday November 7, 2024 at 2:00pm or so soon thereafter as the Committee shall direct.
The Committee disclosed that the hearing would take place at the House of Representatives Room 429 (New Wing) while directing the parties to submit one (1) soft and twenty (20) hard copies of their brief on the matter.
It went further to warn that if any of the parties fail to attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in the party’s absence.
The Summon reads in part, “Whereas the above named petition is now pending before this Committee and the particulars of the petition aforesaid are attached here. And whereas, the petition has been assigned to be heard by the Committee for determination.
“YOU ARE HEREBY required to note Sections 88 and 89 (C) of our constitution (as amended) and appear in person before this Committee on Thursday 7th day of November, 2024 at 2:00pm or so soon thereafter as the Committee shall direct.
“Venue: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ROOM 429 (NEW WING). You are to Submit one (1) soft and twenty (20) hard copies of your brief on the matter. Ignore if submission has been made.
“AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you do not attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in your absence.”
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