About 400 workers are likely to lose their jobs following the alleged forceful take over of Best Western Hotel, Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos, yesterday, by The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).
The incident, which started at about 4am, took everyone by surprise as contingent of armed mobile policemen stormed the hotel and drove out both the local and foreign guests numbering over 112, as well as workers.
Edward Akinlade, the group managing director of Suru Worldwide Venture Nigeria Limited, owners of the hotel, said, about 112 guests were driven out of the hotel by the AMCON team.
He explained that AMCON representatives and police officers, along with thugs allegedly bombarded the said company properties at 86, Opebi Road, Ikeja; 12 Rev Ogunbiyi Street, GRA, Ikeja and 12, Allen Avenue, Ikeja all in Lagos on August 30, 2017, in purported execution of court judgment delivered on May 30, 2017.
Akinlade frowned that AMCON and their agents padlocked the hotel gates, preventing guests from leaving, while some who were chased out were left out of fears for their lives. “On May 30, 2017 the court delivered a judgment directing the police to protect AMCON in the process of exercising its alleged right as a mortgagee over our company’s properties situated at 86, Opebi Road Ikeja; 12, Rev Ogunbiyi Street GRA Ikeja, and 12, Allen Avenue, Ikeja. When contacted, Head Corporate Affairs of AMCON, Mr. Jude Nwauzor confirmed the take over, pointing out that there was a court order given early this month to that effect.
He claimed that Akinlade is indebted to AMCON and the matter has been in court for some time before it was finally ruled in favour of AMCON to take possession of the property.
