The management of The Sun
newspaper has kicked against the marking of its corporate office in Lagos for
seizure by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The commission, on Saturday, had
marked properties belonging to Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia state governor.
Muhammed Idris, a judge of the
federal high court in Ikoyi, sentenced the former governor to 12 years in
prison for diverting N7 billion from the coffers of Abia state.
In a statement, the company
stated that it is not a party to the case instituted against Kalu and Slok
Nigeria Limited.
The company noted that it is a
limited liability company with its shares owned by various individuals apart
from Kalu.
“We do not understand the legal
basis for this EFCC action. It is on record that there is a pending appeal at
the Supreme Court with Suit No: SC/546/2018 wherein The Sun Publishing
Limited appealed against the Judgement delivered by the Court
of Appeal on the interim forfeiture order made against it by a Federal High
Court in 2007 based on ex parte proceeding. The Notice of Appeal and Motion for
Stay of Execution were duly served on EFCC by the bailiffs of the Court,” the
management said.
“It is also pertinent to state
that EFCC vide a letter written by
Counsel to The Sun Publishing Limited, dated 22nd May, 2018 and duly received
by one Caleb Peter on behalf of Rotimi Jacobs & Co. was further put on
notice of the pending appeal at the Supreme Court and advised to stay action in
the matter pending the hearing of the
Motion for Stay of execution and the appeal.
“Again, it is instructive to
state that The Sun Publishing Limited was not a party to the case of EFCC vs.
Orji Uzor Kalu & 2 Others, so we do not see why the Judgment in that case
should lead to attempt to seal The Sun Publishing Limited premises.
“Further more, we are aware that
both Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Slok Nig Limited have since appealed the
Judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Idris and a hearing date given.
“We wish to reiterate that The
Sun Publishing Limited is an ongoing corporate limited liability company and
its shares are owned by various individuals distinct from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. Therefore, the
recent Judgment against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu should not be used to disturb
the operations of the company and the proprietary rights of its innocent
shareholders until the matters are dispensed with at the Supreme Court.”
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