News and Insights

REBUTTAL OF FALSE PUBLIC NOTICE ISSUED BY CHIEF DUMO LULU-BRIGGS

1. The attention of the Management of Moni Pulo Limited (“Moni Pulo” or “MPL”) has been drawn to a Public Notice stated to have been issued by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs (“Chief Dumo”), regarding his appeal CA/PH/53/2021 against the grant of probate in respect of the estate of the late High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs (“late High Chief”).

2. In response to the misleading claims contained therein, we rightfully state that:

3. No part of the claims/reliefs of the said suit challenging the grant of probate in respect of the estate of the late High Chief has to do with the shares or assets of Moni Pulo Limited.

4. Similarly, the grant of probate in respect of the estate of the late High Chief as contained in his testamentary dispositions (Will and Codicils) has nothing to do with the shares and assets of Moni Pulo Limited. The late High Chief, in his lifetime and for over 7 years before his demise, had transferred all his shares in Moni Pulo. The said transfers were duly effected in accordance with the law.

5. No assets or shares of MPL forms part of the subject matter of the said pending appeal CA/PH/53/2021. The appeal arose from the decision of the Port Harcourt Division of the High Court of Rivers State, dismissing the case brought before it by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Senibo Lulu-Briggs, and Sofiri Lulu-Briggs against the grant of probate in respect of the estate of the late High Chief in Suit No: PHC/2751/2019.

6. Although being aware of the above stated facts, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs in 2019 following the demise of the High Chief, promptly commenced an action against the existing shareholders of Moni Pulo Limited before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1576/2019, seeking to invalidate the transfer of shares made by the late High Chief in his lifetime. Moni Pulo Limited and its shareholders filed a defense and counterclaimed against the plaintiffs in the action, and after two years of litigation, Chief Dumo and the other plaintiffs filed a Notice of Withdrawal of the case causing the Federal High Court, on 30th September 2021 to strike it out.

7. Chief Dumo had also earlier filed Suit No: PHC/2520/2019 by which he sought to challenge the Will and Codicils of the late High Chief. However, on 11th October 2020, he filed a Notice of Withdrawal of the said suit. Thus, there is no legal challenge against the testamentary dispositions of the late High Chief pending anywhere.

8. The shares and assets in Moni Pulo do not form part of the estate of the late High Chief and there is no provision of any sort in the Will and Codicils of the late High Chief to that effect.

9. By virtue of being a party to the suits filed by Chief Dumo, Moni Pulo Limited is aware that by the testamentary dispositions of the late High Chief, his entire estate is fully vested in the Executors and Executrix listed therein. Thus, no other person, either the head or family member of the late High Chief can meddle into the lawful administration of the estate by the Executors and Executrix.

10. The business and assets of Moni Pulo are free from any form of encumbrance known to law.

11. This publication is for record purposes and for the information and guidance of the public who may be misled by the said Public Notice or any other publication to that effect.