ABA: RIBIZA HOTELS CLEARS THE AIR ON ALLEGED COURT RULING

Sequel to an online publication by “The Eye Opener” on a supposed court ruling involving Ribiza Hotels Aba, the management of Ribiza Hotels has in strong terms condemned the publication, describing it as “false and misleading.”

In a statement issued on Friday, April 11, 2025, and signed by Nwosu Alexander, Ribiza Hotels urged the public to disregard the mischievous insinuations stemming from the publication adding that the publication is nothing but a smear campaign motivated by extreme malice of vested interests whose shall be examined in light of the laws of Nigeria.

According to the statement, the online publication which also claimed that the court ruled without fair hearing from the parties involved on the said property, located on No. 24A and 24B Old GRA, Aba is entirely false.

It stated that the property was diligently and legally purchased in 2023 from Paul Ogwuma, a shareholder and one of the Directors of First Atlantic and Investment Company Limited. The statement clarified that the new owner faced a violent resistance by what it described as criminal elements claiming to be tenants under a purported 20-year lease allegedly granted to them in 2023 by Mr. Alex Nwosu, a person who ceased to act on behalf of the company as far back as 2018.

“Ribiza Hotels lawfully purchased the subject property in 2023 from the shareholders of First Atlantic and Investment Company Limited. Upon attempting to take possession, the purchaser was met with violent resistance by criminal elements claiming to be tenants under a purported 20-year lease allegedly granted to them in 2023 by Mr. Alex Nwosu — a person who ceased to act on behalf of the company as far back as 2018. There is no record of payment or valid authorization for the purported lease. Importantly, the shareholders of First Atlantic and Investment Company Limited have filed sworn affidavits in the ongoing suit, denouncing the purported tenants and distancing themselves from Mr. Alex. Big Nwosu and the lawyers now claim to act for them.”

It frowned at resorting to defamatory publication as a route to seek redress when one feels his rights have been infringed upon.

“On Fair Hearing and Legal Remedies: Let it be stated for the record that any party aggrieved by a court order has a constitutional right of appeal. That is the proper and lawful route. Resorting to online defamation, shadowboxing the judiciary, or maligning litigants or judicial officers is an affront to the rule of law, which should not be condoned in any legal system much more a constitutional democracy irrespective of the guise upon which it is made.”

To set the records straight, “The Honourable Court gave all the parties opportunities to be heard and this enabled parties to file their respective processes according to the rules of the Honourable Court. After hearing all the parties and considering the sworn affidavits and arguments, the presiding Judge, His Lordship Honourable Justice C.K. Nwankwo granted an interim order sealing the disputed premises pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. The order was made in the presence of parties, upon due consideration of the facts before the court. The claim by “The Eye Opener” that the order was issued without fair hearing is not only false but also aimed at misleading the public, and therefore in the minimum malicious. The claim in the minimum reflects both gross ignorance of court procedure, and deliberate extreme mischief, or attempt to mislead the public and incite contempt against the Honourable Court, and judicial process”‘ it said.

Ribiza Hotels further threatened to drag any vested interest interfering with a pending court case before law enforcement agencies.

“Ribiza Hotels hereby notifies the public that it shall lodge a report to law enforcement against any person or group, or entity attempting to under any guise interfere with the proceedings pending before the trial court including by irresponsible journalism all geared to obstruct justice, or misrepresent ongoing proceedings with extreme mischief.

The misuse of social media to undermine judicial integrity is a vice that should not be allowed irrespective of the guise in which it is made. It is a settled principle that matters before the court are not to be tried in the court of public opinion or on the pages of Facebook. Those resorting to such tactics will answer the law.”

It concluded by reaffirming Ribiza Hotels’ commitment to towing the path of law in pursuance of the protection of its proprietary rights and in doing so shall follow and abide by the due process of the law.