Court orders refund of N4m debt to lawyer

The gavel of justice

A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Tuesday ordered, Salisu Zuru, to pay four million naira debt to Paul Golu, a lawyer.

The Upper Area Court judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, made the order after Zuru pleaded guilty to the claims against him.

Golu of Area 3, Garki, Abuja, who is the plaintiff and counsel, had told the court that Zuru collected four million naira from him sometime in 2015.

He said the defendant, a staff of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, collected the money from him on behalf of Adamu Entonu for purchase of election forms for the Federal elections.

He further said Zuru, who served as an intermediary in the transaction, made an undertaking to pay back the money before or on the conclusion of the said elections which held in 2015.

The plaintiff said Zuru, however, defaulted without giving any reason, adding that the said money was client’s monies in his custody.

He, however, urged the court to compel Zuru to refund the said money with a monthly 10 per cent interest and one million naira as damages.

The Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Jega, admitted the claims against his client, saying that Zuru was ready to pay back the said four million naira.

He said the action of Zuru was not intentional, adding that he did not pay the money back due to the said Entuno not paying as agreed.

He, however, urged the court to do justice and look into the 10 per cent interest charge and one million naira for damages that the plaintiff demanded, saying it was too much.

Following Jega’s application, the plaintiff urged the court to go ahead with its order and remove the prayer he had earlier made for payment of interest charges and damages.