The 36 Governors of the federation on Tuesday, said they will appeal the judgement of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court, dismissing their suit against the Federal Government on the planned deduction of $418million from the Federation Account to settle debts, owed consultants recruited by the states and Local Government Area on the Paris Club retunds.
Justice Ekwo had few months ago threw away the suit brought before him by the Attorneys-General of the 36 states against the Federal Government in a judgment.
He added that State Attorneys-General have not shown enough evidence to accord them the right to institute the action.
Justice Ekwo ruled that there was no express evidence to show that the Governors of the 36 states accepted and agreed to the filing of the suit.
The governors, through their Attorneys-General in their appeal, reminded the general public and all financial institutions in Nigeria and abroad, that the case is subjudice and asked 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 in respect of judgment debts arising from suits in connection with the London Paris club contracts pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
“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 at his or her peril.
The Governors warned the general public not to deal business with; “Dr. Chris Asoluka (doing business under the name and style of NIPAL Consulting Network, Linas International Limited, Joe Odey Agi, SAN (Practicing under the name and style of Joe Agi, SAN & Associates), 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 Barr. Olaitan Bello.”
