N4.5bn Debt: Parallex Bank Accuses Logistics Firm Of Court Process Abuse

Parallex Bank Limited has asked the Abuja High Court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by logistics firm, FHT Mega Express Limited, claiming it is an abuse of court process, incompetent, and lacks jurisdiction.

Justice Hauwa Lawal Gummi had, on December 18, 2025, issued a temporary order to freeze the bank’s N7.2 billion over a financial dispute with FHT Mega Express Limited.

In support of its preliminary objection, Parallex Bank, in an affidavit sworn to by a manager in the bank, Cynthia Akunaeziri, stated that on September 4, 2025, the bank filed Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1774/2025 at the Federal High Court, Lagos, seeking N4.5 billion for debts FHT Mega Express owed concerning Letters of Credit.

The bank in the suit sought to protect its lien and secure the court’s leave to dispose of the firm’s goods to recover the said debt.

The bank argued that instead of allowing the Federal High Court to determine FHT’s debt, the defendant has engaged in strategies to harass the bank and frustrate payment.

The applicant also claimed the defendant concealed the existence of an earlier suit in Lagos and an order to maintain the status quo.

The bank further alleged that, before the FCT court’s ex parte order, FHT attempted to attach the bank’s funds in Lagos in Suit No. (LD/ADR/6143/2025), But the judge refused and asked FHT to notify the bank.

The applicant claimed that FHT then discontinued that suit and filed the same case in Abuja, hiding material facts to obtain unfavourable orders.

The bank stated in the counter-affidavit that FHT’s new suit was filed immediately after withdrawing from the Lagos case, with the intention of relitigating issues and abusing the court process.

The bank urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that justice would best be served by doing so.

The hearing of the application has been fixed for February 4, 2026.