•Seeks control of 24 properties
Self-acclaimed son of the late Ikemba Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Debe, yesterday filed a N200 million suit before a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere against the widow, Bianca, over the deceased’s property.
Debe Ojukwu and his company, Silver Convention Nigeria, had sued Bianca along with Ojukwu Transport Limited (OTL), Prof. Joseph Okwuabudike Ojukwu, Emmanuel Ndubueze Ojukwu, Lotanna Ojukwu, Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Patricia Ojukwu and Margaret Nwagbo (Nee Ojukwu) to court.
He instituted the suit over his entitlements as son to the late Ikemba and to restrain the defendants from tampering with or selling the properties.
In an Originating Motion dated October 5, 2012, Debe is asking the court for a declaration that as the first and eldest son of the late Ikemba, he is entitled to collect his father’s military paraphernalia from the Federal Government having been accorded full military honours during his burial .
He wants the court to declare that he is entitled to perform the dust-to-dust burial rites in his father’s honour as the Igbo law of succession, custom and tradition demands.
He stated that he spent N100 million on his father’s burial. In the suit before Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, Debe is praying the court to make a declaration that as first and eldest son of Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu, under the Nigerian law, he is entitled to manage or lead in the management and control of all the properties of the deceased.
He noted that the properties include disposable assets and belongings (Real and personal properties) owned and possessed by Ojukwu Transport Limited and the deceased.
He also wants the court to declare that the second claimant (his company)as the provider of part of the funds he used for his father’s burial is interested in and has the locus standi (legal standing) in the affairs of the first claimant (OTL).
He alleged continuous denigration by the defendants which has led to his company’s loss of several contracts, business opportunities and goodwill and therefore, sought for compensation of N200 million. He also wants an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants whether by themselves, servants, agents or representatives from tampering with or interfering in any manner whatsoever with any of his father’s properties and that of OTL which was owned by his late grandfather, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu.
The disputed 24 properties include: 2A, 2B, 4A and 4B Park Close, Apapa; 1-3 Creek Road (Nnewi Building), Apapa, 58, Ibadan Street Ebute-Metta, Lagos; 388A and 388B Herbert Macaulay Street, Yaba. Others are Conoil Filing station, 120 Agege Motor Road, Mushin; 15, Oshodi Street, Lagos; 196 Igbosere Road, Lagos; 14, Probyn Road, Lagos; and 4, McPherson Avenue, Ikoyi.
The rest are 30, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi; 19, Mekunwen Road, Ikoyi, 29, Queens Drive, Ikoyi; 13, Hawksworth Road, Ikoyi; 32 Commercial Road, Yaba, Lagos; Shopping Plaza, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos; ACB Building,Bright Street/Bida Road, Onitsha; 11A, B and C Sanniez Street, Onitsha; 43 Vern Road, South Onitsha, 116 Ziks Avenue, Fegge, Onitsha; 18 Nottidge Street, Onitsha and; 13/15 Forces Avenue, Port Harcourt.
In his statement of claim, Debe said that his career as a police officer was suddenly truncated by the second, third, fourth and eighth defendants (Joseph, Emmanuel, Lotanna and Margaret) who had prevailed on him to manage OTL on their behalf. However in their statement of defence filed through Chief George Uwechue (SAN), the first, fourth, seventh and eighth defendants in the suit contended that the claimant’s action is speculative, ill-conceived, unconscionable and an abuse of court process and should be dismissed with costs.
They also denied his membership in their family. During proceedings yesterday, the court ordered Debe to publish his Originating Motions in the newspapers especially for the attention of Ikemba’s widow and fifth defendant in the suit, Bianca whose lawyer has not appeared in court.
This was after other parties in the suit had made their submissions. Earlier, counsel to Debe, Jeff Kadiri, stated that the court’s order that a substituted service be made on Bianca who is currently serving as the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain has been executed. He said the order was executed via her residence, 7, Forest Crescent, GRA, Enugu, Enugu State. The matter has been adjourned till May 22, for mention.
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