Hoodlums suspected to be agents of the Bank of Industry, BOI have invaded a factory belonging to Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited carting away 76 Machines and other valuables worth millions of Naira.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ashford Industries Nigeria Limited, Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh who disclosed this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Sunday, reported that the invaders numbering over 30, came in with a truck and move away all the machines that were left there.
Ezeh alleged that the invaders broke through the wall of the factory, gained entry through the wall and lose all that was in there leaving one machine which they tried taking away but could not and the other machine which he suspected was too heavy for them to carry.
“But all the 76 machines, both the wires and everything were carted away. They were many in number. It was the staff of BOI that did this because I dragged them to National Assembly because those machines that were there, we closed that factory because of the ones they seized. The one we imported, we needed to couple it with what we have, including the N13.5 million forklift, transformers that we bought those days, generator and everything, they carted them away.
“This is man’s inhumanity to man. We opened that place in 2006, the first factory was in Ibeju-Lekki. We were just working, we had 110 workers and three Chinese expatriates there before we closed down because we needed equipment to expand. We had challenges like we needed drying equipment and things that would enhance production.
“That’s why I approached BOI and see what we are seeing now. So, it’s the Chief Security Officer of BOI, Mr. Mike Adewunmi, Mr. Raymond Adenuga while Waheed Olagunju would give them the back up. These are the three key people that are doing this”, Ezeh said.
Asked if he had any evidence to prove that the invasion was carried out by the officials of BOI, he said, “We petitioned them at the National Assembly, they gave them summon this time to come. I will say it there, we are meeting at the National Assembly on 28 of this month. They are the people doing it, they are the people moving the equipment which they seized since 2009 in their warehouse. They are the people that had the key to the place.
In why the Bank would want to invade the factory to cart away equipment, the MD said, “The ones that they looted were the ones in my factory which I bought before I approached the BOI. Seventy-six machines. Why they are coming for these ones is because there is N13.5 million from that N89 million which was given to me to buy equipment – forklifts, generator, transformer and so on and I bought them, they in the factory. So, they came, the ones I had earlier, I would use some equipment which they sold that was in BOI warehouse to couple them. So, they don’t want the business to move.
“They also want to show and tell the people at the National Assembly that I didn’t buy anything. So, they came, it’s stupidity.”
Speaking on when the act was carried out, the Ashford Industries boss said, “I don’t know the day but someone called me today (Sunday) and gave me this information.”
On whether or not he has lodged any official report to the Police, he said, “I will, I traveled, I am not in Lagos now. When I come back, I will go and lodge a complain. But I have called the DPO but he said that he has left that place. So, I asked him to give me the new DPO’s number and once I get the number, I will call him. And on my return back to Lagos, I will go there.”
He revealed that the factory had been closed down for some years now following the seizure of its imported equipment by the Bank of Industry, BOI leaving the place overgrown with grasses.
Asked if there was no security personnel to guard the factory, Ezeh said, “What will the Security do when you have more than 30 people invading the place? It was a very organized thing. The last security man I employed there, they (BOI) even paid him off. The security suddenly moved out. I don’t know if he’s now working with them because up till today, I have not seen him. His name is James.
On what he would do to remedy the situation, he said, “I am going to the meeting summoned on January 28 ( by the. National Assembly). I have sent the clips to the Clerk of the House, I have also sent them to Hon. Ikenga (Imo Ugochinyere). So, I will go there and tell them and ask them to come for inspection. I will complain to the House (of Representatives) and see what they can do.”
“So, BOI, all this things they make noise on television is rubbish. I will make a proposal to the government because this is a national problem where banks don’t fear any longer. Somebody is asking for 40% bribe and if you don’t give him, he will be like it’s his right to do that to access loan for export. Nobody is talking.”
It will be recalled that Mr. Okey Justine Ezeh had earlier last year, petitioned the National Assembly over alleged seizure of 327 industrial machines belonging to the company by the Bank of Industry, BOI since 2009 and fraudulent sale of parts of the equipment.
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.
The petition claimed that the Bank officials frustrated the transaction leading to the seizure of 327 industrial machines imported by the company.
The matter is still ongoing before the National Assembly as another hearing on the matter is scheduled for January 28, 2025.
Meanwhile, all efforts put forward by our correspondent to get the reaction of the Bank of Industry proved abortive as the spokesperson for the Bank could not be reached as at press time.
Photo: Images of the destroyed factory.
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