Lagos State High Court has granted an interim injunction stopping the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Access Bank from harassing a real estate company, A4 Realty Limited, over a disputed land.
A4 Realty had accused Access Bank Plc of property fraud and of using the Police, EFCC and others to harass its directors and staff.
In a statement, A4 Realty alleged that Access Bank “sold one property to two different companies”.
The real estate company said they bought the property at Ajiran, Eti-OSa LGA, Lagos, from Access Bank in 2021, but the bank allegedly got a better offer and sold the same property to another buyer.
In the statement, A4 alleged that Access Bank used “the Nigerian police and EFCC to go after the Directors and officers of A4 Realty Ltd over a concluded property transaction” after receiving “N500 million from A4 Realty Ltd for said property” which was “sold to A4 Realty Ltd as far back as 2021”.
The real estate company also accused Access Bank of introducing a “little-known company called Trebesak Nigeria Limited as a front purporting the Company to be the new owner of the property.”
“We challenge Access Bank Plc and its front, Trebesak Nigeria Limited to furnish the public with any document that contradict our Company’s title over the property. We are not unaware of the frantic efforts by Access Bank Plc to come up with a false narrative to cover up this fraud. A4 Realty Ltd has in its possession and will make public uncontroverted documentary proof of its title to the property to expose the lies and falsehood by the Bank. We want Nigerians and international community to be aware of the property fraud and corporate bullying by Access Bank Plc against A4 Realty Ltd,” A4 Realty said.
The Lagos State High Court has now issued an injunction ex-parte following an application by A4 Reality Limited.
The court ordered the respondents – Access Bank, Police, EFCC and IGP – to stop harassing A4 Realty’s staff, engineers and construction workers at the property. The injunction also bars the agencies from interfering with A4’s rights and interests in the land.
The respondents were directed to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion on Notice filed by A4 Reality Limited.
The Court adjourned the substantive suit to November 13, 2023
