Zinox Technologies has alleged that a document from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new twist in the long-standing contract fraud allegations leveled against its Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh, by the CEO of Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, Benjamin Joseph, and senior advocate Femi Falana (SAN).
This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesman for Zinox, Mr. Chimezie Orisakwe.
Orisakwe claimed that the FIRS document allegedly reveals that Joseph lied about his lack of knowledge regarding the contract executed by his company for the FIRS.
The reaction follows a fresh contract fraud case instituted against the Zinox Chairman before Justice A. O. Ebong of the FCT High Court in charge no. FCT/HC/CR/985/24 in November 2024.
Reacting to the development, Orisakwe stated that a FIRS letter, already filed in a civil case at the Lagos State High Court (Suit No. LD/4335/2014), had cleared his boss of any wrongdoing.
He added:
“Zinox has never been invited by any investigative agency, including the police and the EFCC, regarding the so-called allegations. There is no report by the police, the EFCC, or any investigative agency where Zinox was mentioned as a suspect. There is no judgment or ruling of any court implicating Zinox in the transaction or allegations underlying the fiat and charges. Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, the Chairman of Zinox, has never given any statement to the police and has never been named in any court proceedings or judgment relating to these allegations.”
Orisakwe alleged that the deliberate inclusion of Zinox, its Chairman, and other individuals who were never part of the investigations in the new charges by Femi Falana (SAN) was intended to embarrass them, harm their reputations, and damage their businesses.
Naijaonpoint gathered that the FCT High Court has adjourned the case to 3rd March 2025, to hear the preliminary objections and any other pending applications filed by Zinox and Technology Distributions.
The preliminary objection challenges the court’s jurisdiction over the case and the appearance of Falana.
Zinox argues that the purported fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) was legally wrongful and defective, and should not have been granted to Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) in the first place.
An Abuja High Court had previously vindicated Zinox Technologies Ltd. and TD Africa, two of Nigeria’s leading technology firms, and their Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh.
Additionally, the court awarded N20 million in damages against the complainant, Mr. Joseph, for filing frivolous and malicious petitions and prosecutions.