The burning of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere in the wake of the #EndSARS protests has led to a setback for the lawsuit instituted against Nigeria’s top politician and leader of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, and tax consultancy firm, Alpha Beta Consulting.
This came as documents submitted in evidence by a former Managing Director of Alpha Beta, Dapo Apara, were, according to a report by PUNCH newspaper, among other vital exhibits burnt during the attack on the Court.
The newspapwr quoted Apara’s lawyer, Mr Tade Ipadeola, to have confirmed this during an interview.
He said, “Everything in Igbosere High Court got burnt, including the registrar’s copy of our application. In fact, the whole building was burnt to ashes. So, we will have to file again. The registry has been moved to Ikeja.
“We may have to file the case afresh at the Ikeja High Court but we have not been instructed to do so.”
Apara had sued the company, Tinubu and the current Managing Director of the firm, Akin Doherty.
Apara had in his statement of claim stated that Tinubu controlled the company which was receiving 10 per cent of tax collected on behalf of the state.
The former MD said as the head of the company, he began looking into its finances and he made many startling discoveries such as mysterious transfers of over N20bn to various companies.
He stated, “N550m payment to Ocean Trust Ltd vide payment instruction dated 15/5/18; N850m payment to Ocean Trust Ltd vide payment instruction dated 14/3/15.”
The claimant said N960m was spent on purchasing HITV’s 300,000,000 shares.
Apara stated that Tinubu was furious that he was looking into the company’s finances and this led to his demotion and eventual exit.
