Med-View kicks as bank seals property in Lagos

Policemen yesterday sealed the headquarters of Med-View Airline PLC in Lagos and took over the premises.

The team went to enforce an order secured by one of the airline’s bankers, First Bank Nigeria PLC, over an alleged N4bn debt. 

But the airline through its counsel, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), condemned the “invasion” of its premises in Ikeja and Lekki, which it described as a violation of court proceedings.

Reading from a copy of the ex-parte order made by Justice Lawal Akapo in Suit No: ID/6251/GCMW/22 delivered on November 22, the Med-View counsel stressed that this did not include taking possession or sealing of the property of the airline.

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Rather, he said Justice Akapo ordered the preservation of the assets of the airline, from the sale or other alienation pending compliance with the pre-action protocol procedure by First Bank which is yet to file an action in respect of the alleged debt.

He said the second and third ex parte orders secured by the bank were granted by Justice Oluyemi in Suit No: ID/6241/GCMW/22 and ID/6243/GCMW/22 both delivered on November 22, to take over the residential house of the managing director of the airline situated at Olabanji Olajide Street off Admiralty way Lekki Phase 1, pending compliance with pre-action protocol procedures by the bank.

He said, “We have held meetings with the bank officials and exchanged correspondence on amicable resolution of any outstanding debt and for the parties to resume normal banking relationship.

“So, it came to us as a rude shock this morning (Monday) when policemen invaded our clients’ properties in Ikeja and Lekki, chased everyone away and sealed the properties as if the final judgement had been awarded in favour of the bank on the alleged debt.

“We believe that this is an illegality and an institution like First Bank with the full complement of a legal department and which we owe in high esteem should not be involved in this type of action. We are taking appropriate steps to seek justice and remedy for our clients by due process of law.”