A Federal High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Isaac Essien has debunked the allegation of fraudulently trying to sell some filling stations in Akwa Ibom state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the special assistant to the judge on media and publicity, Emmanuel Ufon in Uyo on Wednesday, October 4, describing the accusation as a heavy defamation on the personality of Justice Essien, just as he threatened to take legal action against the allegations.
Reports revealed that one Udeme Esset, the former owner of Stratas Gas Station and the Director of Jopen Nig. Ltd had recently claimed that the Judge was chased out of Stratas filling stations and Jopen Oil filling station located in Akwa Ibom State for fraudulently trying to sell the stations.
Ufon, who described the allegation as petty, spurious, and preposterous, explained that Udeme Esset, former owner of Stratas filling station and Director of Jopen Oil filling station received a loan facility from Keystone Bank between 2002 and 2004 but could not repay the loan.
He further clarified that since he, Udeme Esset could not repay the loan after many years, the financial institution decided to sell off the filling stations kept with them as collateral to recover their loan, and the properties were advertised on Thisday newspaper this year.
Ufon explained that immediately after they were advertised many bidders opted for the properties and Engr. Cyril Atang, the MD of Grandberg Enterprises who is right now in the United States of America recuperating after a major surgery requested the Judge to help him buy those properties, and the properties were legally acquired.
“Stratas Resources Ltd (Udeme Esset) and Jopen Nigeria Ltd obtained a Loan facility from Habib Nig. Bank in 2002 and Jopen from Platinum Bank in 2004 respectively. These 2 entities created a legal mortgage over the Gas Stations and deposited the original title documents with the bank. Keystone Bank later acquired Platinum and Habib Bank.
“Stratas Resources Ltd (Udeme Esset) and Jopen Nig. Ltd. defaulted in repayment of the loan. Keystone Bank appointed a receiver manager over the 2 gas stations pursuant to the Deed of Legal Mortgage signed by its directors.
“The Receiver manager obtained an order of foreclosure of the 2 gas stations from the Federal High Court on 14/6/2023. The order of foreclosure was advertised in ThisDay Newspaper on 2/8/2023 for the public to bid to buy the gas stations.
“Grandberg Enterprises owned by Engr. Cyril Atang had successfully bid and the 2 gas stations were sold to Grandberg Enterprises by the receiver pursuant to the power of sale in the deed of legal Mortgage.
“The order of Foreclosure was enforced by the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Durusinime on the 1st of August, 2023. On 8/9/2023, The Management of Grandberg Enterprises was led into possession of the 2 gas stations by the Management of Keystone Bank.
“It is important to state here that Engr. Cyril Atang, the MD of Grandberg Enterprises who is right now in the US recuperating after a major surgery is the maternal uncle of Hon. Justice Essien.
“He requested Justice Essien to represent him in all the meetings leading to the purchase and delivery of the station. The documents of title and the keys to the stations were handed over to him by Engr. Cyril Attang.”
Ufon noted that after the financial institution sold out the properties to Engr. Attang, the Directors of Jopen, and Mr. Udeme Esset the former owner of Stratas came back to reclaim the assets by sending people to assault and attack Hon. Justice Essien and the staff of the 2 gas stations while trying to renovate the place.
The statement said, “State Commissioner of Police has turned deaf ears to all the complaints written to him by Grandberg Enterprises on the hostile criminal activities of Udeme Esset and the Directors of Jopen. The request to approve Policemen to secure the 2 stations has been refused
“On Saturday, 30/9/2023 under the directive of the SWAT Team leader CSP JuhanPolicemen accompanied Mr. Udeme Esset to sack the Gas Station at Ekid Itam along Ikot Ekpene road.
“They removed all the properties of Grandberg Enterprises and carted them away. They came back and stood by and gave Police cover to Udeme Esset and the thugs he brought to repaint the entire station.
“This criminal activities of Mr Udeme Esset and the directors of Jopen has continued because of the tacit support of the Commissioner of Police who has refused to act and arrest Udeme Esset and the Directors of Jopen.”
