Melrose General Services Limited has initiated contempt proceedings against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Yemi Cardoso and Legal Services Director, Mr Salam-Alada Kofo, for allegedly failing to comply with a Supreme Court judgement delivered in 2024 reversing the forfeiture of N1.222 billion and N220 million linked to the Paris Club refund.
The case filed as FHC/ABJ/CS/532/2025 before Justice Inyang Ekwo at the Federal High Court in Abuja was led by Melrose’s counsel, Mr Chikaosolu Ojukwu.
The Supreme Court had overturned an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) forfeiture order, ruling that funds which include N1.222 billion in Melrose’s Access Bank account and N220 million paid to Wasp Networks and Thebe Wellness, were not proven fraudulent.
It ordered their release, stating: “The appellant’s application (Melrose General Services Limited) to set aside the order of interim forfeiture of the sum of N1,222,384,857.84 in the appellant’s account with Access Bank Plc and N220,000,000.00 in the accounts of the 2nd and 3rd respondents (Wasp Networks and Thebe Wellness) is hereby granted.”
Melrose alleged that while the CBN refunded N1.222 billion, the N220 million remains unpaid. On March 27, Justice Ekwo permitted contempt notices (Forms 48 and 49) to be served, with a seven-day response deadline.
By April 10, all parties except the Ministry of Finance had responded, per Melrose’s counsel, Mr Segun Fiki.
The CBN, represented by Mr Abdulfatai Oyedele, argued the Supreme Court directed the N220 million to Wasp Networks (N200 million requested) and Thebe Wellness (N20 million unclaimed), not Melrose.
The EFCC, through Mr M.A. Babatunde, sought exclusion via a misjoinder motion.
The hearing is set for June 4.