Court freezes Dilly Motors account over 2.5bn vehicle contract

Following the police investigation into the N2.5bn vehicles supplied to the Bayelsa State Government, the State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has ordered the freezing of bank accounts operated by Dilly Motors Limited.

The automobile sale company owned by a businessman, Okwudili Umenyiora.

According to TheSun, Nkereuwem Akpan, Bayelsa state Commissioner of Police in a motion ex parte prayed the court to freeze the company’s accounts in two commercial banks pending the conclusion of the police’ investigation on the matter.

Granting the request, the presiding Judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, ordered that the company’s accounts be frozen for 14 days.

The Judge also ordered the banks to furnish the police with a detailed statement of accounts of the first respondent.

The investigation into the vehicle contract was reported to have become necessary following a petition alleging fraud, criminal conversion, and conduct likely to breach public peace written against Dilly Motors Limited and its founder, Okwudili Umenyiora by Solalina Mass Transport LTD, TheSun reports.

The petition written by Charles Iroh, Head of Chambers, Triax Solicitor stated that in 2019, the Managing Director of Dilly Motors Limited, approached his client to facilitate vehicle supplies to the Bayelsa State government but failed “to pay the commission to his client despite receiving almost full payment from the state government”.

The petition reads in part, “It was agreed that our client should use its wealth of expertise in the transportation industry and contacts to facilitate the contract in favour of Dilly Motors Limited.

“Our client being an indigenous company with core focus on haulage, charter and transportation service, supply chain management, specialist vehicles and expert drivers, specialist on-board kit and equipment and other transport services, was contracted as a facilitator to Dilly Motors Limited by virtue of a Vehicle Procurement/Facilitation Agreement dated the 17th day of February 2020 with clear terms and conditions.

“That through our client’s dedication and expertise, On the 5th of March 2020, the said Dilly Motors Limited got the job. Sequel to this, the company through its Managing Director, Okwudili Umenyiora, told our client that the contract value for the vehicle supply was in the sum of Two Billion, Three Hundred and Five Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand Naira (N2, 305, 234, 000) only.

Iroh alleged that instead of paying his client’s commission, the contractor resorted to fraudulent tactics, threats, and blackmail.

Meanwhile, prior to the criminal investigation by the police, Solalina had reportedly filed a civil action with suit number YHC/108/2020 in the High court sitting in Yenagoa.

The case according to TheSun was presided over by Justice T Cocodia for breach of contract.

While Solalina seeks to enforce its rights in a finder’s fee, facilitation agreement entered into with Dilly Motors for the supply of vehicles to the Bayelsa State Government, all parties involved in the matter have been served as the case was scheduled for hearing on July 21, 2020.