T HE Federal Government has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unseal the premises of the Vaswani Brothers, The Honda Place (THP), which the anti graft agency put under lock and key on Wednesday.
The Guardian learnt yesterday that the EFCC had already complied with the government's directive and had allowed the offices shut in Lagos, Abuja and Kano to re-open for business.
In 2003, the three brothers were bundled out of the country, but the Yar'Adua administration reversed the deportation and allowed them back into the country.
In a letter to the EFCC dated Wednesday December 31, 2008, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation Mr. Michael Aandoakaa directed the EFFC to "suspend further action on the treatment of the aforesaid petition by Globe Motors pending my full consideration of the issues at stake and further communication with you on the matter."
The Attorney-General in the letter signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Salihu Aliyu, noted that EFCC had earlier been written to, restraining it from involving in the matter because the Supreme Court had decided that the issues must not be reopened again. Moreover, the matter is at the moment before the High Court of Lagos State.
The Guardian learnt that the EFCC chairman, Mrs Farida Waziri might not have seen the minister's earlier letter.
Meanwhile, THP has denied ever forging any document or misleading Globe Motors Limited over the distributorship right of Honda vehicle in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its management, THP expressed regret over some report published in some dailies that it defrauded Globe Motors and the speculation that it forged import documents.
According to the company, "We have never received a kobo from Globe Motors towards the realization of their rights of distributorship and we are not owing Globe Motors any sum whatsoever.
According to the management, Globe Motors, through a petition to the EFCC had alleged that they are entitled to distribution of 45 per cent of Honda cars in Nigeria and that it had lost over N40 billion through the alleged denial of that right.
Globe Motors further alleged that it was presented with a dealership agreement between THP limited and Honda Japan whose date was forged or altered to reflect a date after incorporation.
According to THP, "The Honda place did not have any subsisting contractual relationship with Globe Motors or any other company with respect to the distribution of Honda cars.
"A Sub-dealership agreement that was executed in favor of Globe Motors was terminated mutually upon the failure of Globe Motors to adhere to rules and regulations approved in sub-dealership agreement by the manufacturer. This termination was confirmed by the consent judgment of the High Court of Lagos State."
"An attempt made by Globe Motors to resuscitate the agreement was dismissed by the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment delivered on July 15, 2005", THP added.
"Petition of forgery or alteration to EFCC by Globe Motors are really baffling to us as similar allegations have been dismissed by an Abuja High court and also pending before the Lagos High Court.
"The manufacturer of Honda cars has the exclusive right to confer distributions right," it added.
THP maintained that the document whose date was allegedly forged is the exclusive distributorship agreement between the Honda place and Honda manufacturer in Japan.
Globe Motors, it said, is not a party to that agreement and cannot know more about the date the agreement was executed than the parties to the agreement. The agreement is still in force till date and there is no complaint by parties involved, THP added.

Put your source please!!

FG Orders Reopening of Honda Place
By Yemi Adebowale, 01.03.2009
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The Federal Government has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately reopen The Honda Place (THP) and other companies owned by the Vaswani brothers which were closed last week following a petition against the brothers by Globe Motors.
A letter from the Attorney General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa, dated December 31 2008 and titled “Re: Petition By Globe Motors Limited Against Honda Palace”, directed the EFCC to “suspend further action on the treatment of the aforesaid petition by Globe Motors pending my further consideration of the issues at stake and further communication with you on the matter.”
The letter signed by the Director of Public Prose-cution in the ministry, Salihu Aliyu to the EFCC boss, Farida Waziri read: “ I am directed to write and inform you of the receipt of the above titled petition by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (photocopy attached).
“The petition amongst other things stated that the matter has its origin in a business transaction and eventually led to a court action between the parties in suit No. LD/163/96, which was settled by way of a consent judgement.
“Globe Motors attempted to reopen that case by alleging that a fraud was perpetrated in arriving at the consent judgement. This was argued up to the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC. 161/2001 reported as (2005)14 NWLR (pt.9450) 273.
“The Supreme Court held unanimously that the judgement could not be reopened. Globe Motors again tried to open the matter in an Abuja High Court in suit No. FCT/HC/CV/72/03, which was dismissed as an abuse of court process.
“Again, Globe Motors has filled yet another action in a Lagos High Court raising the same allegation in suit No. LD/88/04. The matter is still pending.
“The purpose of the letter is to draw your attention to the legal issue raised and to direct that you suspend further action on the treatment of the aforesaid petition by Globe Motors pending my further consideration of the issues at stake and further communication with you on the matter.
“In view of the above and for the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation to be appraised of the issues at stake, you are further directed to post-haste forward your investigation report to the Hon. Attorney General for him to take an informed decision on the matter.”
Aondoaka in the letter added that from the facts made available to him, “I am now equally aware that Globe Motors is currently pursuing an action against the Honda Palace before the high court of Lagos State in suit No. LD/88/2004 on the same issue of fraud which has apparently now been concurrently made the subject of a criminal complaint to the EFCC by Globe Motors (photocopy attached).”
An official of Stallion Group, Kane Vicas confirmed to THISDAY in a telephone interview last night that the EFCC has complied with the directives and has allowed the Vaswani brothers’ business offices shut in Lagos, Abuja and Kano to reopen for business.
The Vaswani brothers - Sunil, Haresh and Mahesh - had all along insisted on their innocence.
A statement early this week signed by their counsel, Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), said Globe Motors had once laid claims of N40 billion on them, but the matter was dismissed by the Supreme Court.
The brothers said: "We are mindful of the need not to comment on issues pending before the court, but it is pertinent to state that we possess exclusive rights to distribute and render after sales service for all brands of Honda cars in Nigeria.
"This right, which was vested in our company by Honda manufacturers in Japan, has been exercised to the benefit of our teeming customers for several decades. We have exercised this right to the benefit of our teeming customers and satisfaction of Honda manufacturers in Japan.
"We do not have any subsisting contractual relationship with Globe Motors or any other company with respect to distribution of Honda cars. A sub-dealership agreement that was executed in favour of Globe Motors was terminated mutually upon failure of Globe Motors to adhere to rules and regulations stipulated by the manufacturer, and in the sub-dealership agreement.
“An attempt by Globe Motors to resuscitate the agreement was dismissed by the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment delivered on 15th July, 2005.
“We deny forging any document whatsoever or misleading Globe Motors Limited at any time. We have never received a kobo from Globe Motors towards the realisation of our rights of distributorship, and we are not owing Globe Motors any sum whatsoever.
“Our lawyers have already written two letters to the EFCC explaining that the complaint by Globe Motors is pending before the court.”

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=132102

That is what this Yaradua and Aondonkaa criminals know how to do.

They are yet to resend the dossier of looted funds by Ibori (that Ribadu sent but they requested the UK to quash because of lack of due process). I bet that will die a natural death and Ibori will go scot free. If it was cancelled because of lack of due process so how come they still haven't resent it using the "due process"?

They can order openning of corrupt peoples businesses but can't order the investigation of those that infringed on Ribadu's civil rights at the graduation ceremony.

After they settle - Egunje

and they hav settled ,
this is so sad

This government na wa so we can now see now that its not the fault of the lady who is now chairman.

Stupid comments.

This is a simple case of mis understanding between two corporate bodies, they should go to court, why is EFCC involved in the first case?

Stupid.

bronx_dog:

Stupid comments.

This is a simple case of mis understanding between two corporate bodies, they should go to court, why is EFCC involved in the first case?

Stupid.

And the harassment of Ribabu and his family was a misunderstanding bewteen which bodies? Or was it government policy?

How come Yaradua did not see it fit to resolve it ASAP as he did with this? Aondonkaa was even sitting in the hall when the harassment was taking place and Mr "Due Process for Criminals only" did not see it fit to challenge the right and wrong of what was done.

This is what we keep complaining

Farida Waziri acts upon petition without doing her homework

If she no say this guys get question to answer, the Presidency have no power to ask EFCC not to investigate a thief.

They only have a choice to grant the thief amnesty if he is convicted no stop EFCC from doing its work.

They only have a choice to grant the thief amnesty if he is convicted no stop EFCC from doing its work.

apt