In what appears to be deliberate intimidation and forceful seizure of his property, former House of Representative Member, representing Idah/Igalamela Odolu/Ibaji/Ofu federal constituency at the National Assembly, Rt.Hon. Emmanuel Egwu, has cried out to the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene over the invasion of his property by the men of the Nigeria Police Force.
Dr. Egwu while revealing his ordeal, said his property was fraudulently used as collateral by some fraudsters to obtain loan facility from the First Bank.
According to him, he has never engaged any Bank for a loan let alone using his house as collateral, “some fraudsters used a property, similar to my house to secure a loan. I only got to know, when some group of Nigeria police, First Bank Agents and Some High Court officials, invaded the house and chased away all the occupants claiming that their action was based on court judgement which I am not a party to.”
Emmanuel Egwu who was visibly furious explained that Ab initio , the parties to the initial case, filed by Bar. Joseph Akubo- and Ruled by Justice Awulu Were non- existence and fraudulent in nature.
He said the Manipulation to deny him fair hearing is a sign of burying initial fraudulent activities by the Bank at the point giving facility.
Hon. Egwu while Stressing that Filling a case without involving him as a party, even when they know of the existence of the Building on the land since 2012/13, claimed he has his Right Of Ownership (ROO), Geometric Survey Report, Town Planning Approval and all receipted.
He advised Members of Public to disregard the purported and fraudulent claim by First Bank on the Ownership of his Property
“Based on this action, I contacted my counsel and reported the case to the state chief Judge, who eventually referred the case to another court for review, unfortunately the judge only advised that we should rather appeal the earlier judgement.”
“Unfortunately the judge express her sadness that she could not overrule her learned colleague, justice Awulu who gave the default Judgment, as they are of same coordinate Jurisdiction, and Right of Appeal was eventually upheld by Judge.”
A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, and presided by Justice A.O Salihu had on the 28 of October 2024, declared lack of jurisdiction to set aside the under review by Justice Awulu J, and subsequently that the Claimant has the right to appeal the said judgement.
“I thereby hold that this court has no jurisdiction to set aside, vary or review the final decisions of Awulu, J, a court of co-ordinate jurisdiction with this case. In essence, I uphold the preliminary objection of the 1st defendant applicant and strike out this case No. HCL/26/2024, and all pending applications therein for lack of jurisdiction. Case struck out. I order that each party should bear its own cost. So ordered. Right of appeal explained,” she added.
Not satisfied with judgement, Hon. Egwu, in a petition addressed to the IGP by his Counsel, Mr. John Adele (SAN), called the attention of the Police Chief over what he described as Threats to the Life of their Client, His Tenants And Security man including criminal Trespass And Fraudulent Acts Through The Use Of Illegal Fire Arms Arising From Armed Persons/thugs.
“A Formal Complaint Of Regular Threats To The Life Of Our Client, His Tenants And Security man, criminal Trespass And Fraudulent Acts Through The Use Of Illegal Fire Arms Arising From Armed Persons/thugs Which Was Recovered Due To Illegal Invasion Of Our Client Building Lying And Situate At Plot 12 Block 3 T.P.S. 70 AT G.R.A. Lokoja Of About 2554.39 Sqm Having Beacon NOS. KG9078. KG9087, KG10251, KG10252, KG10253 AND KG5393.”
“As Well As Also The Recent Connivance And Collusion Of Some Members Of The Nigerian Police Force And A Clarion Call For Investigation Into The Unwanton Illegal Invasion/conduct Of Some Of The Aforesaid Policemen Who Are Members Of The Nigerian Police Force In Kogi State And Some Thugs Inorder To Bring The Culprits To Face The Wrath Of The Law.”
“We are a firm of legal practitioners and our professional legal services had been retained by Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Makoji Egwu and Immanuela Resources Alu Ltd hereinafter referred to as our clients and it is on whose behalf and instru that we are writing this solicitors letter of demand.”
“Instructions received from our clients reveals that there are regular threats to the life of our client, his tenants and security man through the use of illegal firearms arising from armed persons/thugs which was recovered due to illegal invasion of our client building.”
However, the Kogi state Police Command through it PPRO DSP William Ovie Ayya, denied knowledge of the situation but promised to find and get back to our reporter as at the time of this report.
Hon. Egwu in the petition revealed that firearms was allegedly recovered from the agent of First Bank Nigeria Limited Ajaokuta and Lokoja who is yet to be prosecuted.
“Firearms was recovered from who is one of the agent of First bank Nigeria Limited Ajaokuta and Lokoja respectively is still yet to be prosecuted what is more also, the recent convenience and collusion of some members of the Nigerian Police Force who had acted on the instruction of a non existent company (Danzikan International Limited) through the instrumentality of the First Bank Managers of Lokoja and Ajaokuta respectively to further attack our clients by threatening his life as well as the life of his tenants namely Idris Ibrahim Salihu, Adaudi Joseph and Sam Adaudi and the security man named Kennedy Abubakar.”
“Instructions further received from our client reveals that a suit No: HCL/26/2024 between Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Makoji Egwu vs First Bank Nigeria Ltd, Danzikan International Limited, L.N. Uzochuwkwu (Mrs) and the Chief Registrar of the Kogi state Judiciary was instituted in respect of a developed buildings vide a developed landed property at Plot No12 Block 3 T.P.S. 70 at G.R.A. Lokoja of about 2554.39 sqm having Beacon Nos. KG9078, KG9087, KG10251, KG10252, KG10253 and KG5393 which said building our client had been in undisturbed possession for over 15 years ago which said sult was filed due to an alleged default judgment in suit No: HCL/71/2018 between First Bank Nigeria Limited vs Danzikan International Ltd & L.N. Uzochukwu (Mrs) in which in the said suit our client was not sued or served with the court processes nor participated in the subject matter.”
“Until a final default judgment was given or obtained in the suit without our client participation in the said suit which amounts to a glaring misrepresentation and suppression of facts by First Bank Nigeria Ltd even when its officials namely Ozovehe B. Ojapa (Business Manager, Ajaokuta branch) and Samuel U. Nwaru (Recovery Officer Kogi State) as well as the Manager of the Lokoja branch of First bank were aware of the 7 Bedroom Duplex building/apartment and other appurtenances of our client vide a letter dated 17th November 2021 which was in breach of our clients rights to fair hearing in respect of the said case which notification of the judgment of suit No: HCL/71/2018 between First Bank Nigeria Limited vs Danzikan International Ltd & L.N. Uzochukwu (Mrs) was brought to his notice sometimes on 29th February 2024 and a copy of the same is hereby annexed as annexure I.”
Hon. Egwu in the petition stressed further that despite the challenge of the defaulted Judgement before the court of Appeal in Abuja for determination, some thugs alleged to be sponsored by the First Bank attacked the disputed property owned by him.
“Furthermore, we make bold to state that, it was after certain legal steps had been taken in the law court to unravel the injustice which had been meted to our clients in respect of the judgment that was given in suit No: HCL/26/2024 for which First Bank Nigeria Limited designated officers at Lokoja and Ajaokuta respectively sought to attack our clients with some unknown thugs which our client vehemently resisted for which the above firearm was recovered by the AIG’s office zone 8 Policemen.”
“Besides our client had also filed a Notice of Appeal and had equally applied to stay the execution of the judgment,” the petition added.
