A Makurdi High Court, Tuesday, granted an exparte motion brought by United International Technologies Nigeria Limited, seeking to garnishee all the accounts of the Benue State government in various banks until the sum of N842, 193, 213.19 owed to them was paid.
The presiding Judge, Justice Morris Ikpambese granted the motion brought before him by the plaintiff, United International Technologies Nigeria Limited.
The motion which was brought by Counsel to the plaintiff, J.S Okutepa, SAN, prayed the court to restrain the State Government from paying out or transferring any money from any of its accounts in all the banks until the creditors were paid the money owned them.
Okutepa stated that the plaintiff supplied furniture and medical equipment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, (BSUTH), in 2007 and 2013 amounting to over a billion naira out of which part was paid, leaving the balance for which he has approached the court.
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After listening to the arguments, Justice Ikpambese granted the motion.
In his reaction, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Micheal Gusa stated that the judgement specified that the debt be paid instalmentally , pointing out that the ruling which ordered that the contract sum be paid at once will have a negative effect on the finances of the state in the face of dwindling revenue.
He disclosed that the state has already filed a motion to set aside the garnishee order so that it could access the funds in the various accounts to meet obligations, especially the payment of salaries, pensions and gratuity.