A Federal High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Isaac Essien, has dismissed the allegation of fraud leveled against him by one Udeme Esset, the former owner of Stratas Gas Station and the director of Jopen Nig. Ltd.
Recall that Esset recently claimed that the judge was chased out of Stratas filling station and Jopen Oil located in Akwa Ibom state for fraudulently trying to sell the station behind the knowledge of the owners and branded the judge as a “criminally-minded Judge.”
But a statement issued by the special assistant to the judge on media and publicity, Mr Emmanuel Ufon in Uyo, Wednesday, viewed the accusation as a heavy defamation on the personality of Justice Isaac Essien, vowing that such allegation will not escape the wrath of the law.
Ufon, who described the allegation as petty, spurious, and preposterous, added that Udeme Esset, former owner of Stratas filling station and Director of Jopen Oil filling station received a loan facility from Keystone Bank between 2002 and 2004 but could not repay the loan.
He further clarified that since he (Udeme Esset) could not repay the loan after many years, the financial institution decided to sell off the filling stations kept with them as collateral to recover their loan, and the properties were advertised on Thisday newspaper this year.
Ufon stated that immediately after they were advertised, many bidders opted for the properties and Engr. Cyril Atang, the MD of Grandberg Enterprises who is right now in the United States of America recuperating after a major surgery requested the judge to help him buy those properties, and the properties were legally acquired.
“Stratas Resources Ltd (Udeme Esset) and Jopen Nigeria Ltd obtained a Loan facility from Habib Nig. Bank in 2002 and Jopen from Platinum Bank in 2004 respectively. These 2 entities created a legal mortgage over the gas stations and deposited the original title documents with the bank. Keystone Bank later acquired Platinum and Habib Bank.”
