NEWS
Court Awards N3.34b Damages against Sterling Bank over Illegal Occupation of Premises
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun has awarded over N3.3 billion cost of damages against Sterling Bank Plc over unlawful sealing, and forceful takeover of Wellington Hotel Ltd premises
Justice Emmanuel Dolor handed down the award in the judgement he delivered on Monday in Suit No.
EHC/75/2020: Wellington Hotel Ltd Vs. Sterling Bank Plc & Anor.Wellington Hotel had through its counsel Obriks Uloho instituted the suit against Sterling Bank Plc and Bay Resources and Allied Services Ltd (Defendants) in May, 2020.
While Wellington Hotel is Claimant in the suit, Sterling Bank Plc and Bay Resources and Allied Services Ltd were 1st and 2nd Defendants respectively.
The financial institution was alleged to have illegally and forcefully taken over Wellington Hotel in Effurun between Sept. 11, 2015 and May 31, 2016.
In the judgement, the Court also set aside the purported sale of Wellington Hotel by Sterling Bank Plc to Bay Resources and Allied Services Ltd.
The judge ordered Sterling Bank Plc to pay N1 billion as general damages and another N2 billion as Special damages for the period of illegal forceful occupation of the hotel’s premises.
He further ordered the bank to pay N1,337,298,750 being special damages for the loss of income for eight months of the illegal and forceful occupation of the hotel’s premises.
Justice Dolor also awarded a sum of N2,895,650.00 against the bank for the destruction of perishable items within the hotel during the period.
He ordered that the defendant should render an account of proceeds made during the illegal occupation and management of the facility within eight months to the claimant.
The judge also ordered that 20 per cent interest be paid on the total damages to Wellington Hotel commencing from the day of the judgement.
He also ordered that the defendant should render an account of proceeds and management of the facility during the illegal occupation of the premises on or before January 25, 2025.
He held that the claimant had locus standi to institute the suit as well as that the claimant was in actual possession of Wellington Hotel at the time of the illegal and forceful invasion.
The Judge however ruled in favour of the defendants that a newspaper publication made during the incident did not amount to defamation noting that the claimant did not call any other witness apart from the Managing Director.
Wellington Hotel Ltd had in a writ of summons sought for a declaration that the defendant’s forcible entry into its premises without the permission of the claimant amounted to trespass.
It also sought for a declaration of the court that the Instigation, prompting and use of officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by the defendants to forcibly take over, seal up, completely shut down and interfere with the claimant’s use, occupation and management of Wellington Hotel Ltd was unconstitutional, illegal, unwarranted, irregular and amounted to trespass.
Dr Jonathan Ekperusi and Frederick Agbonifo from Obriks Uloho and Co chambers represented the claimant and commended the Judge for delivering the judgement which they described as “classic”.
When the matter was called on Monday, the defendant did not appear in court nor did he send representatives.
NEWS
FRSC Targets Over Loading, Dangerous Driving During Yuletide Travels in Katsina
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Katsina Command says it is targeting drivers who are in the habit of over loading and dangerous driving during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The state FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Aliyu Ma’aji, made this known at a news conference on Tuesday in Katsina.
Ma’aji said that the command was out to ensure zero road traffic deaths and crash-free during the festive period.
He said that the command had organised series of activities at motor parks, Mosques and Churches to enlighten motorists on the risks associated with dangerous driving and over loading.
Ma’aji also reminded prospective
passengers to always speak up against violations of traffic rules, dangerous driving and speeding by drivers in order to save their lives.
“Data indicated more passengers lost their lives than drivers during accidents,” the sector commander said.
He urged prospective passengers to always use faster channels to report road crashes and obstruction to the FRSC for possible rescuing without delay.
According to him, the command light tow truck had been strategically positioned in the event of any unforeseen eventuality.
He also announced that a mobile Court had also been set up for possible prosecution of traffic offenders on the spot.
Ma’aji, however, advised motorists to desist from mixing of goods and passengers in their vehicles, among other traffic violations. (NAN)
NEWS
FCTA to Ensure Effective Utilisation of Operational Vehicles by Security Agencies
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it has taken steps to ensure effective utilisation of the 100 operational vehicles donated to security agencies in the FCT.
Mr Adamu Gwary, Director of the Security Service Department, FCTA, stated this during the department’s end-of-year news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike had in July donated 50 operational vehicles, equipped with communication gadgets to security agencies.
On Dec. 12, the minister donated additional 50 new operational vehicles to security agencies, totalling 100 vehicles so far distributed.
Gwary, a fellow of the National Defence College, said that the vehicles were marked to ensure that the FCT Administration gets value for the support given to the security agencies.
“Just yesterday we had a meeting with a service provider, who, through the Presidency, provided a reporting platform of crime statistics format in all our police divisions.
“We looked at it beyond just getting information on crime statistics. We expanded it to cover other components of the FCT Administration’s support to security agencies.
“This will give us a platform to ensure that whatever the administration has provided, particularly vehicular assets to help security agencies to perform optimally, are equally monitored.
“We will put our eyes and ears on those vehicles because they were given to them for the purpose of improving and enhancing the security situation in the FCT,” he said.
He added that when there was a need for the vehicles to be used outside the FCT, it must be connected to security issues affecting the territory, especially cross-border crime.
As Christians around the world prepare for Christmas and new year celebrations, the director called on FCT residents to support and cooperate with security agencies.
He said, “when you see something, say something and we will do something.” (NAN)
NEWS
Police Arrest Man for Allegedly Raping 5-yr-old girl in Gombe
The Nigeria Police, Gombe State Command, says it has arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl in Pindiga community in Akko Local Government of the state.
ASP Buhari Abdullahi, the police’s spokesperson in the state said this on Tuesday in Gombe while parading the suspect and others.
Abdullahi said that the suspect had lured the victim to his parlour where he allegedly committed the crime.
He said that the victim was taken to the hospital for medical treatment where doctor also confirmed that she had been violated.
He said the matter was reported Dec. 15 about 8.30am against the suspect at Pingiga police station.
He said that the suspect (names withheld) had lured the 5-year-old to his home and allegedly had sexual intercourse with her.
“However, upon receipt of the complaint the above mentioned suspect was arrested.
“The victim was rushed to cottage hospital for medical treatment and for doctor’s confirmation,” he said.
Abdullahi stated that during the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to the alleged crime and would be charged to court for prosecution.
Besides, the command spokesman paraded 15 other suspects for various crimes ranging from criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, possession of counterfeit Naira notes, amongst others,
Abdullahi restated the command’s commitment to tackling crimes in the state.(NAN)