By Dipo Olowookere
A businessman based in Lagos has taken leading financial institution in Nigeria, United Bank for Africa (UBA), to court for an alleged breach of deed of a property sub-lease.
In a statement of claim filed by counsel of the businessman, Mr Akinpelu Salau, the claimant said a deed of sub-lease, which commenced on October 1, 2006, was breached by UBA on his building situated at Plot 15, Aina Layout, Lagos Abeokuta Road, Dopemu, Lagos State.
The claimant, Mr Lasisi Ayomumoye, is asking for N36.8 million from the bank for a breach of deed of the property sub-lease.
When the matter came up for hearing at a Badagry High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, Mr Ayomumoye alleged that contrary to the deed of sub-lease, UBA wholly demolished the property and erected a new structure without his consent or approval.
He said after knowing of the breach, he wrote several letters to UBA, requesting for compensation, but the bank ignored him.
According to him, in 2008, UBA also allegedly registered a forged deed of sub-lease, purporting same to be the one executed by him.
Mr Ayomumoye added that the document alleged to be fraudulently registered by the bank on the property was fundamentally different from that which was executed by both parties in 2006.
In the alternative, he is demanding N24 million as the cost of restructuring the present building to a multi-purpose building, similar to what the structure was when the deed was signed.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Tuesday, the claimant counsel noted that the amendment of statement of claims by the defendant was filed only on December 5, and that he needed time to study it for necessary response.
However, at the hearing, UBA was not represented by any counsel and the trial judge, Justice Okikiolu Ighile, subsequently adjourned the case to January 25.
NAN
