By Lukman Olabiyi
Medview Airline has condemned the alleged invasion and sealing of its properties located at Olowu, Ikeja and Lekki, Lagos State, by a team of policemen, under the guise of executing a court order to take possession of the properties.
The airline is currently engaged in a legal dispute with First Bank Ltd, over an alleged N4 billion debt.
Counsel to the airline, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) condemned the invasion which occurred yesterday morning. He said he had read a copy of the ex parte order made by Hon Justice Lawal Akapo in Suit No. ID/6251/GCMW/22 delivered on November 22, and it didn’t include taking possession or sealing of the properties of the airline, but ordered for a preservation of the assets of the airline, from sale or other alienation pending compliance with the pre action protocol procedure by First Bank who is yet to file an action, in respect of the alleged debt.
He also accused the bank of desperation and engaging in forum shopping and abuse of court process by alleging that the bank obtained additional two ex parte orders in different suits on the same subject matter (the alleged unpaid loan).
Lawal said the second and third ex parte orders secured by the bank were granted by Justice Oluyemi in Suit No ID/6241/GCMW/22 and ID/6243/GCMW/22, both delivered on November 22, to take over the residential house of the Managing Director of the airline situate at Olabanji Olajide Street, off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, pending compliance with pre action protocol procedures by the bank.
“We are amazed at today’s early morning invasion and sealing of our client’s properties located at Ikeja and Lekki, Lagosby ex parte orders in respect of an alleged debt which the court is yet to determine the validity, having regard to the denial of such liability by the airline after the sale of its aircrafts by the bank.
“That we have held meetings with the bank officials and exchanged correspondence on amicable resolution of any outstanding debt and for the parties to resume normal banking relationship. So, it came to us as a rude shock this morning when policemen invaded our clients properties in Ikeja and Lekki, chased everyone away and sealed the properties as if final judgement had been awarded in favour of the bank on the alleged debt.
“We believe that this is an illegality and an institution like First Bank, with full compliments of the legal department and which we owe in high esteem, should not be involved in this type of action. We are taking appropriate steps to seek justice and remedy for our clients by due process of law,” he said.