Nwankwo Kanu

BY FRANCIS EZEM

Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria AMCON has justified the recent takeover ofthe Hardley Apartments belonging to former Super Eagles Captain, Nwankwo Kanu, saying that the corporation obtained an order of a Federal High Court, which granted it possession of the said property since 2015.

The former Nigeria Super Eagles Captain had expressed bitterness over the alleged “illegal takeover” of one of his property, Hardley Apartments, located off Adeola Odeku Street in Victoria Island, Lagos, which has been under litigation.

The corporation however says that the move became necessary following its efforts to resolve all the issues around the former Eagles Captain’s N924.8million indebtedness to one of the banks acquired by the corporation, alleging that several invitations were extended to Mr. Kanu for an amicable settlement of the issues all to no avail.

According to a statement signed by Head, Corporate Communications of AMCON, Mr. Jude Nwauzor, the corporation in 2015 obtained an order from a Federal High Court, which granted it possession of the property, being the asset pledged as collateral for the loan.

The corporation also said that the procedure was done with the Court Bailiff and inventory of property was taken, which did not include any medals as claimed. It insists this order still subsists, pending the determination of the substantive matter.

It therefore enjoined members of the public disregard the misrepresentations as the corporation awaits the pronouncement of the court on the matter

The statement reads in part: “The attention of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria AMCON has been drawn to some inaccurate stories sponsored and published in the media meant to mislead the public and whip up sentiments for former Super Eagles player, Mr. Nwankwo Kanu.

“AMCON is not in the habit of joining issues with obligors on the pages of the newspapers especially when the matter is in court as in this one. It is noteworthy that similar clarification was made by the Corporation in 2017, when the debtor claimed that AMCON had illegally taken over his hotel. However, as a law abiding recovery agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, we are at all times guided by the law and would continue to act accordingly irrespective of obligor’s social, political or economic status. The public is hereby informed that these stories are meant to instigate sentiments of the media and the public on the true position of the indebtedness of The Hardley Apartments promoted by Nwankwo Kanu to the corporation.

“We also want to it put on record that having exhausted all avenues of peaceful resolution as a result of the huge debt; extended so many invitations for discussion, which were turned down, AMCON in 2015 obtained an order from the Federal High Court, which granted the Corporation possession of The Hardley Apartments located at No. 46 Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Off Elsie Femi – Pearse Crescent, Off Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island in Lagos State, being the asset pledged as collateral for the loan”.

There were recent media reports in which the former Super Eagles Captain alleged that the takeover was a “trespass”, which is against a court order.

According to him, Hardley Apartments is a subject of litigation and has been under temporary possession of AMCON since 2015 over alleged indebtedness.

“I wasn’t aware of the AMCON takeover of the property until I went there to see for himself this latest development. I have chosen to obey the court ruling on the property because the court has yet to award it to anyone; but I kept on receiving reports that work was ongoing on the property.

“I decided to see the development on the property today (Monday), and I found out it was true. I cannot imagine a property that has a competent court order being trespassed upon.We need to obey the court ruling on the property. There will be a court sitting this month, but to my surprise, it has been taken over before the court ruling.It really hurts me to see that an injunction of a court could be disregarded with work ongoing there. I am a law-abiding citizen and I think people should respect that,’’ Kanu had said.

He therefore urged the Federal Government to intervene in the matter by calling the corporation to order.