The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has ordered all banks operating in Nigeria to blacklist media executive Nduka Obaigbena and members of his family over alleged debt to First Bank of Nigeria.

The December 30, 2024, Mareva order also sought to prevent Mr Obaigbena from moving any assets linked to him from the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. First Bank had filed a debt-recovery suit against Mr Obaigbena and his family members, including Efe Damilola Obaigbena and Olabisi Eka Obaigbena, saying they used their oil servicing firm General Hydrocarbons Limited to assume debt of about $718 million. 

At least $225 million had been frozen in bank accounts run by the Obaigbenas as part of the order, which was issued by Justice Deinde Dipeolu in suit FHC/L/CS/2378/2024.

The judge also said all banks licensed to do business in Nigeria should immediately seize all financial transactions to the Obaigbenas and laundry of businesses linked to them. 

Mr Obaigbena did not return a request seeking comments about the order on Thursday evening.

But a source close to the THISDAY and Arise TV boss shared a letter from his lawyers with Peoples Gazette, which narrated how the issue began and why First Bank executives are at risk of contempt of court. 

In the January 9, 2025, letter from their lawyers Abiodun Layonu & Co., the Obaigbenas argued that First Bank was trying to force them to take responsibility for up to $718 million in delinquent loans against Atlantic Energy.

The lawyers warned First Bank of “grave legal implications” for going to another judge to obtain the Mareva order when a separate federal judge already had a previous injunction prohibiting any actions against the Obaigbenas over the dispute. 

The lawyers cited a December 12, 2024, judgement by Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, which “unequivocally and emphatically restrained First Bank from taking any steps whatsoever to enforce any security, receivables, instrument, financial documents or assets of our clients pending the hearing and determination of the ongoing arbitration proceeding between our client and the FBN.”

The firm said First Bank knew of the judgment before approaching another judge for an ex-parte order without disclosing the prior judgment, which they suggested was unethical and illegal.

A spokesman for First Bank and chairman Femi Otedola did not immediately return a request seeking comments from The Gazette about whether or not they’ve received the letter from lawyers to the Obaigbenas. 

In a separate petition to CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso last year, Mr Obaigbena said he helped save First Bank from imminent collapse in 2021 when he used the resources from OML 120 oil block he secured under President Muhammadu Buhari to elevate the company’s fortunes from declaring N161 billion loss to announcing N151 billion in profits for the year ended December 31, 2021.

“We have been left with no choice but to go to court and arbitration to preserve our fundamental rights and our rights under the agreements in the face of FBN’s attempts to clubber and bully us out of existence,” Mr Obaigbena said in the November 7, 2024, complaint.