By Ameh Ejekwonyilo
Abuja
The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has asked an Abuja Federal High Court to dismiss the suit filed against him and the CBN by some shareholders of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc.
In separate preliminary objections, Sanusi and CBN said the suit was statute barred having been filled outside the time limit allowed for challenging acts of public officers.
They also said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit by reason of the provisions of Section 53(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act and Section 52(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
The defendants also asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the fraud alleged to have been perpetrated in the sale of the bank was not supported with the particulars.
The shareholders of the defunct bank included Abdullahi Sani, Adaeze Onwuegbusi and Chijioke Ezeipke through their lawyers, Chief Chris Uche, are demanding the sum of N10 billion as special and general damages against Sanusi and the CBN for breaches culminating in the wrongful takeover of Intercontinental Bank Plc by Access Bank.
Also joined in the suit is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as 3rd defendant, respectively.
The plaintiffs also want the court to order CBN to immediately recover the sum of N25.1 billion together with interest still being owed by the trio of Mr. Aig-Aigboje Imokhuede, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and Senator Bukola Saraki.
But in asking the court to dismiss the suit, the defendants said they complied with all the extant laws governing the scheme.
Trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned to July 16, for mentioning and possibly, hearing.
The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has asked an Abuja Federal High Court to dismiss the suit filed against him and the CBN by some shareholders of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc.
In separate preliminary objections, Sanusi and CBN said the suit was statute barred having been filled outside the time limit allowed for challenging acts of public officers.
They also said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit by reason of the provisions of Section 53(1) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act and Section 52(1) of the Central Bank Act 2007.
The defendants also asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the fraud alleged to have been perpetrated in the sale of the bank was not supported with the particulars.
The shareholders of the defunct bank included Abdullahi Sani, Adaeze Onwuegbusi and Chijioke Ezeipke through their lawyers, Chief Chris Uche, are demanding the sum of N10 billion as special and general damages against Sanusi and the CBN for breaches culminating in the wrongful takeover of Intercontinental Bank Plc by Access Bank.
Also joined in the suit is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as 3rd defendant, respectively.
The plaintiffs also want the court to order CBN to immediately recover the sum of N25.1 billion together with interest still being owed by the trio of Mr. Aig-Aigboje Imokhuede, Mr. Herbert Wigwe and Senator Bukola Saraki.
But in asking the court to dismiss the suit, the defendants said they complied with all the extant laws governing the scheme.
Trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned to July 16, for mentioning and possibly, hearing.
