A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has struck out a $2.8m suit filed against an ex-Chairperson of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, by businessman, Prince Arthur Eze, through his company, Oranto Petroleum Ltd.
The plaintiff had, in its statement of claim, stated that the money, in addition to another N240 million, formed part of an interest-free loan granted to Mrs. Olejeme by Prince Eze.
In a ruling, Justice Peter Affen struck out the suit following a notice of discontinuance which was moved by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Nwachukwu Ibegbu.
Mrs. Olejeme had, in a motion filed in the suit, complained of being subjected to acts of intimidation, harassment and blackmail by security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the alleged instigation by the plaintiff.
She also wrote to the EFCC Chairman on April 16, 2018, complaining about how the plaintiff was allegedly harassing, intimidating and threatening her life over a matter, which he had taken before a court, through his company.
The letter titled “Re: Case of illegal and unlawful invasion of the home of Dr. Ngozi Olejeme and threats to her life by officers and men of the EFCC, Enugu Zonal office led by one Mustapha Yusuf” chronicled the alleged acts.
In the said letter written on her behalf by the law firm of Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mrs. Olejeme wondered why the Enugu division of the EFCC allowed itself to be used to harass, threaten and intimidate her on a purely civil matter which resulted from a transaction that took place in Abuja.