Governors proceed to appeal court over FG’s $418m Paris refund deduction

The governors of the 36 states of the federation have proceeded to the appealed court to challenge the judgment of a federal high court that dismissed the suit opposing the planned deduction of $418 million from the federation account by the federal government to settle debts to consultants facilitated the Paris Club refunds for states and local governments.

The presiding judge of the federal high court, Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment, dismissed the suit by the Attorneys General of the 36 states against the federal government. The judge held that the attorneys-general did not show enough evidence to accord them the right to institute the action. Justice Inyang Ekwo mentioned that there was no express evidence to show that the governors of the 36 states consented to the filing of the suit.

The 36 governors, through their attorneys in the appeal issued a restrictive caution, declaring: “with respect to promissory notes issued to them and intended to be discounted and given value from funds due to the states of the federation from the federation account in respect of judgment debts arising from suits in connection with the London Paris club contracts pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

“Be it known that any person or persons who take steps in respect of the promissory notes in the face of the pending appeal do at his or her peril.”

The defendants were identified as Dr. Chris Asoluka (doing business under the name and style of NIPAL Consulting Network, Linas International Limited; Joe Odey Agi, SAN (Practicing under the name and style of Joe Agi, SAN & Associates), Riok Nigeria Limited; Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr. Ted Iseghohi Edwards, Panix Alert Security Systems Limited, Dr. George Uboh, Ned Munir Nwoko, Prince Orji Orizu and Barr. Olaitan Bello.