The Nigerian government has filed a request in a U.S. court to remove businessman Louis Emobila William, who claims he was wrongfully tortured and imprisoned by the state security services in 1986 and obtained a court order withholding $21 million in compensation. received temporary relief following the approval of the From a JP Morgan account in Nigeria.
On Oct. 8, Judge Louis Lehman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted Nigeria’s request to remove Williams from office to answer relevant questions about the events that led to his ordeal at the SSS in the 1980s.
However, given Mr. William’s health, which had been frail for many years, the judge gave Nigeria a deadline to take the deposition.
“In order to preserve the testimony and evidence in consideration of Plaintiff’s physical condition and health, Defendant must submit a request for production of documents regarding Plaintiff by October 22, 2024,” Lehman said in an Oct. 8 statement. handed down the verdict.
“Plaintiffs must comply with defendant’s request for production no later than November 5, 2024," the judge added, ruling that depositions cannot take place beyond December 20.
The Federation’s attorney general, the Central Bank of Nigeria and JP Morgan were named as defendants in the suit.
The parties, including the plaintiff, reached the decision that the depositions would be held in London for 12 hours over three days, given Mr. Williams’ poor health.
Depositions are scheduled to take place in London from December 17th to 19th, the day before the court deadline.
Fred Wexler of Brown, Gabaras & Flom said in court on Oct. We agreed.”
Williams’ deposition will be videotaped and a court reporter will be present. Also, those who are scheduled to perform remotely will be able to perform remotely.
Wexler said all parties will pay for the deposition costs for the court reporter and videographer responsible for holding the video conference.
The parties have agreed to cover travel and accommodation costs in the UK.
Mr Williams, a British-Nigerian businessman, said he was defrauded of $6.5 million by the Nigerian government over a food import deal to the south.
The businessman said all efforts to recover the funds failed and that he was tortured by the SSS when he went to Nigeria to recover the funds.
Instead, he was rushed to trial on charges of “economic sabotage” and sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1986.
He escaped from prison in 1989, and former military dictator Ibrahim Babangida granted him a presidential pardon and a fidelity bond worth $6.5 million compounded at 17% on a rollover basis from 1986, when he was imprisoned. Ta.
The case dragged on in court for decades until Nigeria returned to civil rule, as the CBN dragged its feet in trying to release the funds.
Mr. Williams filed suit in the United Kingdom, and Judge Mary Claire Boulder of the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court awarded the Nigerian government $21,231,960.74 in 2018.
The businessman sought to enforce the judgment in the United States, where Nigeria is engaged in a fierce legal battle to prevent the funds from being handed over.
How Williams answers the questions in his statement will determine Nigeria’s next move.
