7th October, 2010
Contrary to the deposition of a Lagos oil company, Origin Oil and Gas Limited, that a commercial bank, Sterling Bank, has refused to honour its mandate to transfer money from its account to a third party, the bank alleged that the money domiciled in the company’s account is a proceed of fraud.
In an affidavit sworn to by a lawyer, Seun Awe and filed before a Federal High Court by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the deponent averred that the company operates an investment account with Sterling Bank in the sum of $390,708.83 and that it mandated the bank on 11 December, 2009, to transfer from the said money to fulfil a third party obligation, which the bank refused.
However, in a counter affidavit filed before the court by the law firm of Convened Chambers, it was alleged that after the lodgement of the money into the plaintiff’s account, the bank was inundated with several visits by military personnel, making enquiry on a diverted sum of N100 million belonging to Post Services Homes Limited.
The company, headed by Brigadier-General F.A. Mohammed, in its course of investigation, discovered that the Project Manager of Nigerian Army Mass Housing Project, Colonel Udegbe, claimed to have deposited a total sum of N100 million into the accounts of Origin Oil and Gas Limited and Matelec Limited, hence the bank cannot grant the disbursement of the said sums as Nigerian Army Corps Military Police is alleging money laundering.
Justice Binta Nyako has adjourned till 7 October, for further hearing.