Court orders banks to freeze firm, others accounts

A Lagos High Court sitting in Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, has ordered banks to freeze the accounts of Mr. Clement Mokedi and others. The other affected respondents are ARC Curve Ltd, Gboyega Adewuyi, M&N Properties Ltd and Mr. Uche Manu. 

Justice R. O. Olukolu restrained the respondents from accessing funds in their accounts pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for mareva injunction.

The order was sequel to an ex-parte application in a suit marked LD/602CM/2022, filed by the Ravins Brook Deliveries as the lawful Attorney of Mr. Kehinde Bolodeoku through their counsel, Mr. Gbenga Ajala.

The judge directed the banks to stop utilising, accessing and dissipating the funds and proceeds from the purported sale of Mr. Kehinde Bolodeoku’s apartment at Unit 12 on the 5th Floor of the building situate at Plot 6, Block 3, Rock Drive, Off C&l Leasing Drives, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State. 

The mareva injunction also restrained the respondents, in the interim, from dealing with any and all of the monies standing to their credit in any accounts in the banks up to the amount.

Claimant’s counsel, Ajala, while moving the application, said an originating motion has been brought before the court and that due to the peculiarity and urgency of the case, a motion exparte has also been filed. 

According to him, the respondents had diverted the funds meant for the construction of the five units of three bedrooms flats at plot 6, Block 3, Rock Drive, Off C&l Leasing Drives, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State. 

When the court asked when the property was sold, the counsel then informed the court that the notice of the sale of the property was in January 2022.

The court in granting the reliefs refused prayer 3 and 4 and granted reliefs 1,2,5,6,7,8,9,10 of the application.

The court ordered mareva injunction directing/mandating Zenith Bank Plc and other banks cited to immediately freeze the respondent’s account and restrict any withdrawals from the said account, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion on notice in the suit.

Justice Olukolu refused relief 3 because the court can no longer restrain the selling or disposal of the said property, having been sold already, since the court does not grant an order in vacuum.

Similarly the court also refused to grant relief 4 because it specifically speaks to the matter to be dealt with in the substantive suit. The matter has been adjourned to March 16, 2022 for report of service.