Papers filed against Tinubu, Alpha Beta burnt in court –Lawyer

The lawsuit instituted against All Progressives Congress chieftain , Bola Tinubu, and tax consultancy firm , Alpha Beta Consulting , by a former Managing Director of Alpha Beta , Dapo Apara , has suffered a setback due to the burning of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere in the wake of the # EndSARS protests .

Apara ’ s lawyer, Mr . Tade Ipadeola , stated this during an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday .
He said , “ Everything in Igbosere High Court got burnt including the registrar ’ s copy of our application. In fact , the whole building was burnt to ashes. So, we will have to file again . The registry has been moved to Ikeja .

“ We may have to file the case afresh at the Ikeja High Court but we have not yet been instructed to do so . ”
Apara had sued the company , Tinubu and the current Managing Director of the firm , Akin Doherty .
In the writ of summons marked LD / 7330 GCMW / 2020 , Apara asked the respondents to appear within 42 days or judgment may be given in their absence .
Apara had in his statement of claim stated that Tinubu controlled the company which was receiving 10 per cent of the taxes collected on behalf of the state .

The former MD said as the head of the company , he began looking into its finances and he made many startling discoveries such as mysterious transfers of over N 20 bn to various companies.

He stated, “ N 550million payment to Ocean Trust Ltd vide payment instruction dated the 15 / 5 / 18 N 850million payment to Ocean Trust Ltd vide payment instruction dated the 14 / 3 /15 . ”
The claimant said N 960 million was spent on purchasing HITV’ s 300, 000, 000 sharesApara stated that Tinubu was furious that he was looking into the company ’ s finances and this led to his demotion and eventual exit .
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However , Alpha Beta Tax consultancy firm , Alpha Beta LLP , denied allegations levelled against it by Apara , adding that he had diverted about $ 5 m during his time as managing director by inflating a contract which was worth about $ 300 , 000 and then diverted a separate N 6 bn to personal use .
The firm said it had reported Apara ’ s alleged fraud to the appropriate authorities but he had refused to show up and rather remained in Dubai .
The firm said Apara ’ s allegations levelled against Tinubu were specious and diversionary .

Lagos State , which is the epicentre of the # EndSARS protests , witnessed wanton destruction following the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki toll plaza by soldiers on October 20 , 2020
On October 21 , hoodlums took to the streets, burning over 10 police stations , two media houses , private business premises, courts and government facilities including the office of the Nigerian Ports Authority on Lagos Island.