Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday sentenced the Group Managing Director of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti to prison for disobeying a valid court order.

The presiding judge, Justice Charles Archibong who handed down the sentence held that the bank MD should be kept in detention till he purges himself of contempt.

Archibong also awarded N5 million costs against the Skye boss should pay N5 million as costs.

Justice Archibong added that if Durosinmi-Etti is out of the bank’s head office, the next ranking executive director to him should also be committed to prison.

Archibong gave the orders after entertaining arguments from Malachi Okafor, counsel to the judgment creditor in the matter, Desange Nigeria Limited.

According to the fact of the matter, Desange secured a judgment against the Nigeria Customs sometime last year, but the organisation refused to pay the judgment sum.

Irked by the development, Desange filed a motion to furnish the accounts of Customs in five banks. The banks included Zenith, Sterling, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Skye Bank.

All the banks were said to have complied with the court order by filling affidavit to show cause. Besides, the other banks were said to have eventually complied fully with the court order by paying the judgment sum, but Skye Bank refused to pay the money.

Skye Bank instead filed an objection to the garnishee proceedings, but same objection was dismissed by the court on the ground that it lacked merit.

Thereafter, Skye Bank issued a cheque in the sum of N10, 820, 680. 25 as payment for the judgment sum, but the cheque was dishonoured when it was presented for payment, an indication that the bank issued a dud cheque.

According to the court processes, the said Desange then filed form 48 and 49 to commit Durosinmi-Etti to prison for disobeying a valid court order.

Apart from Durosinmi-Etti, others listed as contemnors in the contempt proceedings included Skye Bank Chairman, Morenikeji Onasanya; the company secretary of the bank, Abimbola Izu and five executive directors of the bank – Gbenga Ademulegan, Dotun Adeniyi, Amaka Onwugbalu, Timothy Oguntayo and Mrs. Ibiye.

After an ex-parte motion moved by Okafor, the court said: "The discharge (dud cheque) which was based on a deception of the court is hereby revoked and the bank (Skye Bank) will pay in the account of the judgment debtor the value of the draft they presented in court on the last adjourned date."

The court further adjourned the matter till July 11 for report of compliance with the order of court.

make them go sidon jor, which kain contempt of court be that. how many people dey obey court others for this country, abegi

Please continue here: https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-706185.0.html