An Enugu High Court presided over by Justice Ebele Egungbe has adjourned for the commencement of trial of a N4billion lawsuit against First Bank Nigeria PLC.
The suit filed by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Incorporated Trustees of International Vocational Centre (IVC) and Dr. Pedro Manuwa.
The plaintiffs in their statement of claim, said that they had in the last five years maintained two accounts with the defendant, to wit: 2027073629(Current Account) and 3091251391 (Savings Account) with the name International Vocational Centre.
They averred that on Feb. 4, 2019, they issued First Bank cheques to several beneficiaries of their education fund but the defendant negligently paid one of the beneficiaries Ñ150, 000 as against N15, 000.
“There has been incidences of negligence by the defendant in handling the plaintiff’s account which had led to several loses, ridicule and untold hardship on the plaintiffs.
“On account of the said overpayment, some of the cheques issued to those beneficiaries were returned unpaid.
“Some person(s) colluded with the defendant and have opened account number 3141684991 with the name International Vocational Centre, Niger State chapter,” they said.
The claimants alleged that such person(s) has been demanding and receiving money from the public and prospective beneficiaries of the scholarship funds, thereby, tarnishing the image of the claimants.
“The plaintiffs have made complaints to the defendant’s Enugu Branch, demanding for the closure of the said account but every complaint has fallen on deaf ears.
“Many prospective students have been duped by reason of the said illegal account and the plaintiff’s image has been ridiculed and brought into disrepute globally by the reason of the action,” they said.
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They averred that they had continued to lose funds for its developmental projects in Nigeria as their donors had started to withdraw their sponsorship on the wrong perception that the plaintiffs had become a dubious entity.
The defendant was not in court on Oct. 22 and we adjourned the matter until Nov. 21 for report of service.
However, when the matter was called up, the defendant was not in court.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Mr Chikadibia Anosike expressed shock that the defendant had continued to be absent from court even when they had been dully served.
Anosike moved a motion for the commencement of hearing on the matter.
In her ruling, Egungbe adjourned until Jan.16 for commencement of hearing and directed that notice of hearing should be served on the defendant.
Among the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs are orders directing the defendant to close the alleged illegal account no: 3141684991 and payment of N4billion damages for the irreparable damage caused to them.
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