An Oyo state High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday fixed March 5h, this year, for further hearing on the suit filed by an Ibadan-based hotelier against First Bank of Nigeria Plc and one Mr. Lawal Basiru Ajadi over breach of contract.
At the resumed hearing of the case filed by the hotelier and Chairman/Chief Executive of Hotel Solution Plc, Mr. Ayo Oladipupo, the manager of the hotel, Ikechukwu Tobias, informed the court that it was a director of the First Bank Plc that lead policemen and thugs to drive all the workers of the Marble Suit Hotel and the guests out of the hotel on October 27, 2010.
The manager, while speaking during cross- examination by counsel to the second defendant, Barrister Tomiwa Akinbiyi, also told the court that it was after the workers and guests had been driven out of the hotel that the director, who led the police and thugs, disclosed that they were with a letter authorising them to drive the workers and guests out of the hotel “with immediate effect.”
He added that the director and other officials of the bank, amidst security comprising hired thugs and the police, took the inventory of all the items in the hotel before they finally left.
He added that the second defendant, Basiru Lawal, who followed the bank officials to the hotel during the operation, later came back to the hotel after they had left.
The manager told the court that he knew Mr. Tola Tewogbade, but that he was never one of the directors of Marble Suit Hotel, and that Mr. Sola Fasakin was a director of the company.
Speaking during a cross-examination by counsel to First Bank, Barrister M.O. Oladejo, the manager said he joined the company in 2007 and that Mr. Ayo Ladipo is the Chairman/Chief Executive officer of Marble Suit Hotel.
Justice Iyabo Oyelaran adjourned the case till March 5, this year, for further hearing.
