Ribiza Hotels and Resort Ltd Aba has knocked the operators of a Blog named: Eye Opener, who alleged that Justice C.K. Nwankwo of the High Court of Abia State sitting in Aba made a one-sided ruling in a property dispute.
In a rejoinder from the Hospitality outfit and made available to newsmen today, they described the publication as a smear campaign rooted in ignorance, mischief, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
They insisted that the report falsely claimed that Justice Nwankwo issued a sealing order on a disputed property without granting fair hearing to parties involved. Ribiza Hotels, in a firm rebuttal, has dismissed these allegations as baseless and malicious, aimed at obstructing justice and discrediting legitimate judicial proceedings.
According to Ribiza Hotels, the property in question — 24A & 24B Old GRA, Aba — was legally acquired in 2023 from shareholders of First Atlantic and Investment Company Ltd. However, upon taking possession, the company faced stiff resistance from individuals purporting to be tenants under a suspicious 20-year lease allegedly granted by one Mr. Alex Nwosu, who, the company insists, had ceased to represent the property’s former owners since 2018.
“There is no evidence of payment or any legal authorization supporting the said lease,” the rejoinder stated. “More so, shareholders of First Atlantic and Investment Company Ltd have, under oath, distanced themselves from both the purported tenants and Mr. Alex Nwosu.”
In a notice observed by www.nwokeukwumascot.com, dated April 8, 2024, from Nwosu O. Alexander Esq. of A.O. Nwosu & Co., confirms the sale of the property to Ribiza Hotels and Resort Ltd and affirms that the company has perfected its legal ownership through proper registration at the Lands Registry in Umuahia.
Contrary to the blog’s claims, Ribiza Hotels emphasized that the court provided all parties ample opportunity to be heard. The interim sealing order issued by Justice Nwankwo was a result of a detailed review of filed processes, affidavits, and legal arguments presented by both sides.
“The order was not made in secrecy or in haste,” the rejoinder clarified. “It was made after due consideration and in open court, with all parties present. Any claim to the contrary is not only false but intended to incite contempt against the judiciary.”
The hotel management took a swipe at The Eye Opener blog for failing to uphold journalistic ethics and for not seeking clarity from the court’s Registrar before publishing what it termed a propaganda piece.
“It is elementary that any aggrieved party has a constitutionally protected right to appeal. Resorting to social media blackmail or online defamation is both reckless and illegal,” the statement said, urging media platforms to report responsibly and avoid being used as tools in land disputes.
Ribiza Hotels has vowed to initiate legal proceedings against any individual or group using social media or other platforms to propagate misinformation, interfere with judicial processes, or incite the public against court rulings.
“We shall not be cowed by faceless cyber propagandists. The law must take its course, and justice must be allowed to prevail unimpeded,” the hotel asserted.
While reaffirming its faith in the judicial system, Ribiza Hotels has called on the public to disregard the sensational and misleading narratives being circulated online.
“The ongoing smear campaign is the handiwork of vested interests who fear the truth. Justice may sometimes be slow, but it is inevitable. We urge the public to let the court do its job without distraction.”
As the legal proceedings continue, Ribiza Hotels maintains that it will remain law-abiding and resolute in protecting its proprietary rights through due process.
