From Chuks Moses,
Anambra- born multibillionnaire businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, this Monday at a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt disputed his previous documented evidence that was already before the court.
In the court presided over by Hon Justice A. Enebeli, and under further cross examination by the defence counsel- Barrister E.C Ukala (SAN) in one of the suits between his companies and Dozzy Oil Ltd, he was asked the size of the property in dispute, the location, the original owners from where he derived his title. Ibeto denied the contents of his own document. He further added that it was his lawyers that prepared the details, and that it wasn’t correct.
At that moment, a ding dong battle ensued between him and the defence counsel seeking to clarify the document. It lingered till the presiding judge intervened, and informed him (Ibeto) that he would suffer no disadvantage to own up.
He was also unable to tell the court the size of the property in dispute, nor the original owners of the title that he inherited.
On the presiding judge’s intervention, Ibeto accepted that the document was in line with his instructions.
Chief Ibeto in Suit No. PHC/268/FHR/2022 against Dozzy Oil Ltd in the lingering dispute over a case of sale of an encumbered property and allegations of fraud and forgery against him, dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Dozzy Oil Ltd before a Court seeking an order to stop the EFCC from arresting and or investigating him whatsoever, in enforcement of his fundamental human right.
The criminal allegations against him on the matter bordered on obtaining N4.6 billion through false pretense from Dozzy Oil in the sale of a large expanse of land to Dozzy Oil.
It was alleged that Dozzy Oil only found out that Ibeto’s title on the property was encumbered hence went for refund of about N4.6 billion being accumulated payment and cost of the transaction, which he declined. Dozzy then petitioned EFCC for recovery of its funds.
Dozzy Oil’s Chief Dan Chukwudozie had alleged that he was approached by Ibeto (the applicant) to purchase a parcel of land situated at Reclamation Layout Phase 11 Port Harcourt, but only to discover that the property did not belong to the claimant and his companies.
The matter was later adjourned to 7th and 8th February, 2023 for continuation of cross examination of Chief Ibeto.
