ALGON to appeal against $318m judgment debt

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) said it has directed its National Executive Council (NEC) to appeal the judgement of an FCT High Court ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay $318 million on its behalf to Riok Nigeria Limited and two legal practitioners.

The association at the end of its NEC meeting in Abuja, where it dissociated itself from the judgment debt also passed a vote of confidence on the current executive under the leadership of the National President, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad Karaye.

Justice Valentine Ashi of an FCT High Court sitting in Apo had in his judgement ordered the CBN to pay $318 million to Riok Nigeria Limited and two legal practitioners.

Riok was said to have executed some contracts for ALGON, which were not paid. However, ALGON, through its presidentý and its National Secretary General/ Director of Legal Services, Mrs Evan Enekwe, described the contracts as doubtful and unverified.

“ALGON hereby dissociate itself from all claims and doubtful contracts purportedly awarded for projects that are yet to be verified; and consequently denies liability and direct NEC to take immediate steps, to appeal against all such judgements that constitute impediment on the release of external debts deductions refund to local government councils,” the statement said. 

The association also asked its president and his executive to pay solidarity visits to states and IDPs in the Northeast geo-political zone affected by the Boko Harm insurgency.