There is no respite yet for R. T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc, which is in fresh trouble following the freezing of its accounts in many of the country's commercial banks for an alleged N2.5 billion indebtedness to Diamond Bank. This time, another commercial bank, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), has filed an application (as an interested party) in the wind-up petition filed against the ailing auto firm by Diamond Bank. UBA's application was filed on the ground that R.T Briscoe is indebted to it to the tune of N1.8billion
In a verifying affidavit accompanying a notice of intention to appear on a petition filed before Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court by Mr. Kemi Balogun (SAN), the deponent, Barrister Olabisi Tella, averred that R. T. Briscoe Plc obtained from UBA four types of facilities.
These were N2billion as inventory facility, N50million as bond and guarantee, N750million as overdraft facility and N1.250 billion as import facility for the importation of Toyota spare parts.
Tella averred further that the facilities have a tenor of 365 days, with periodic reviews every 90 days and at an interest rate of 15 percent per annum, which is subject to review by the bank from time to time in accordance with the prevailing market situation.
The deponent also averred that despite the bank repeatedly demanding that RT Briscoe should liquidate the debt, which stands at N1,777,623,487.55, the bank has failed to act accordingly.
While showing interest to appear on the petition to be heard, UBA urged the court to wind-up R. T. Briscoe in the interest of justice.
