Enugu VIP loses savings is the story of how a hard-working woman may have lost her valuables at a Bank facility.
Unlike others who invest in properties or deposits, Ambassador Justina Eze, politician and diplomat, preferred to invest in precious stones.
For many years, she kept an entire haul of trinkets in a safe deposit box at First Bank in Enugu.
According to court filings, the bank shocked her one day by failing to produce her box. She had wanted to wear one for a special occasion only to find the box missing in the bank.
Initially, she said the bank assured that the box was intact but failed to produce it after many fruitless visits.
She then sued the bank.
Yesterday, an Enugu High Court heard how Ambassador Eze used her daughter’s account to open the safe deposit facility.
The daughter, Dr. Chinwe Eze-Boulhassane, brought documents in support of the deposit to court for her testimony.
She was led in evidence by Chief Olushola Oke, a senior advocate.
After listening to her evidence, First Bank asked for an adjournment.
Judge Chinyere Ajogwu adjourned the matter to 10 May for cross-examination of the main witness.
Ambassador Eze, a diplomat and politician, represented Uzo Uwani in Nigeria’s House of Representatives during the Second Republic.
She subsequently served as ambassador to Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. In the Obasanjo Obasanjo Presidency, she served as Liaison Officer to the House of Representatives.
Background to the Case
Chief Oke explained to Enugu Metro after the hearing that the case is “about a big box of jewelries, valuables put in the custody of the First Bank of Nigeria.”
“For many years, it was there and well-documented, but by the time she needed those jewelry, the bank could not produce the box.
“The ornament represented her savings in her life. She has been an Ambassador and done many other great things for the country in addition.
“She made several demands to get the box back. The bank is not disputing that it received the box and subsequently promised to compensate but failed to do so after many promises.
“What we did today was to call our first witness who is her daughter – the daughter of the Ambassador. Her involvement lies in the fact that she went with the mother to the bank to deposit the box. It was her account that was used in making payment of the charges, apart from the fact that it belongs to her mother.
“So, today, she tendered various documents to show that the box was there, to show the value of the jewelries, to show the bank’s undertaking to bring out the box, to show their failure to do so, to show that at one time or the other they agreed that they will make compensation, to show that when she made her demand, the bank reneged on a promise.
“We want to show that the bank is under obligation to produce the box or pay the value of the content. She has given the evidence and the cross-examination has now started
“But the First Bank requested for an adjournment and because the Counsel is an elderly man, I did not oppose it. So, the judge granted the request.
“She (Dr. Chinwe) will be cross-examined after which I will call on other witnesses from the bank.”
Enugu VIP loses life’s savings
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