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The account of Delta State has been frozen on the orders of a Federal Capital Territory High Court over claims that the state government is indebted to a consultant, Mauritz Walton Nigeria Ltd to the tune of $27,274,135 (N8,427,707,715 billion) and another N3 billion, making a total of N11,427,707,715 debt.
Justice Yusuf Halilu made the order on Thursday, August 3rd, 2017, following an affidavit in support of an ex-parte summons sworn to by the Managing Director of Mauritz Walton Nigeria Ltd, Dr. Maurice Ibe and filed before the court by his counsel, Alex mara,a, Charles Ude, and Kenneth N. Esq.
In the suit, Ibe is asking the court order Delta state to pay it the said amounts owed his firm or the consultancy job done in pursuit of the refund of excess deductions on foreign loans and miscellaneous charges in exchange of certain percent of any refund recovered.
Also involved in the suit are two other states, Abia and Cross river state, against which Ibe is also making claims for similar consultancy services rendered while pursuing the refund of excess deductions on foreign loans and miscellaneous charges in exchange for certain percent of any fund recovered.
A report in vanguard newspaper disclosed that court also ordered the banks to set up an escrow account where the funds in the respective bank accounts of the states would be deposited, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
Vanguard also reports that n the affidavit, Ibe averred that there is an urgent need for the court to direct the third defendants (United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Nig. Plc) in the case between Mauritz Walton Nigeria Ltd and the three state governments to, in the interim, stop further disbursement of the money already in or accruing to the Paris-London Club refund accounts of the three states.
The report reveals that Abia State government reportedly owes Mauritz Walton Nigeria Ltd $11,325,000 and N1.72 billion; Cross River owes $8,050,000 and N1.2 billion; while Delta is indebted to the tune of $27,274,135 and N3 billion. Abia State government had engaged Mauritz Walton Nigeria Ltd on November 3, 2014, to pursue the refund of excess deductions on foreign loans and miscellaneous charges in exchange of 30 percent of any fund recovered.
“Similarly, Cross River State government engaged the same consultancy firm on the same date for the same purpose in exchange of 20 per cent of any fund recovered. Delta State government also engaged the services of Mauritz Walton Nigeria Ltd in exchange of 30 per cent of any fund recovered. Justice Halilu adjourned the suit till September 7, 2017 for hearing.”
Efforts bybanneronlinenews.com to get the reaction of the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah and the chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr. Charles Aniagwu was not successful as there was no response to calls put through to their phone lines. Meanwhile, the Vanguard reports that Delta State government said it was yet to get details of the judgment.