The governors advised the public and all financial institutions in Nigeria and abroad that the matter was subjudice, urging them to desist from dealing with the defendants in the suit.
The 36 state governors have appealed the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court judgment, which dismissed their suit challenging the planned deduction of $418 million from the federation account.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had on March 25 dismissed a suit instituted by the 36 States’ Attorneys-General challenging plans by the Nigerian government to deduct funds from the federation account to settle the $418 million judgment debt in relation to the Paris Club refund.
The governors made the appeal through their Attorneys-General in a statement signed by five Senior Advocates of Nigeria, S. I. Ameh, J. S. Okutepa, Dr Garba Tetengi, Ahmed Raji and Olumuyiwa Akinboro.
The governors advised the public and all financial institutions in Nigeria and abroad that the matter was subjudice, urging them to desist from dealing with the defendants in the suit.
“With respect to promissory notes issued to them and intended to be discounted and given value from funds due to the states of the federation from the federation account be it known that any person or persons who take steps in respect of the promissory notes in the face of the pending appeal do so at his or her peril,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the defendants that the general public are advised not to deal with are Dr Chris Asoluka (doing business under the name and style of NIPAL Consulting Network, Linas International Limited, Joe Odey Agi, (Practising under the name and style of Joe Agi, SAN & Associates).
Others, according to the statement, include Riok Nigeria Limited, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr Ted Iseghohi Edwards, Panix Alert Security Systems Limited, Dr George Uboh, Ned Munir Nwoko, Prince Orji Orizu and Olaitan Bello.