Mauritz Walton Moves Against UBA, Seeks Attachment of Abuja Branches Over ₦7.44bn Judgment

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Oliver Alawuba, alongside other senior executives of the bank, may face committal to prison as Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited intensifies legal efforts to enforce a ₦7.44 billion judgment against the Benue State Government.

The enforcement dispute has reportedly triggered anxiety at some UBA branches in Abuja following claims that police officers had begun visiting the bank’s premises ahead of possible further legal action.

A staff member at one of the affected branches, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that armed policemen recently visited the facility and indicated that they might return during the week.

According to the source, the development has unsettled employees, with concerns growing over the possible attachment of the bank’s assets and properties during the enforcement proceedings.

Some staff members were also reportedly worried about using the bank’s bullion vans for cash movements, amid fears that the vehicles could become targets of enforcement action.

The dispute stems from a judgment debt of ₦7,448,113,025.42 secured by Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited against the Benue State Government.

In an earlier ruling, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, presided over by Justice Bello Kawu, made a Garnishee Order Nisi absolute against UBA and directed the bank to pay the judgment sum to the judgment creditors through their solicitors within 24 hours of being served with the order.

The court discharged 20 other garnishees from the proceedings, leaving UBA as the institution against which the payment directive was issued.

Justice Kawu also dismissed the argument that appeals filed by the Benue State Government against the substantive judgment should automatically halt the garnishee proceedings.

The court maintained that a pending appeal, without more, could not prevent the enforcement process.

In its ruling, the court identified account number 100722383870 as the Benue State Government’s FAAC/Treasury Single Account maintained with UBA.
According to the court, the account had a balance of ₦2.09 billion as of November 18, 2025, when the Garnishee Order Nisi was served on the bank.

The court further ruled that subsequent Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) inflows into the account could be covered by the order to the extent required to satisfy the judgment debt.

However, available court documents do not establish whether UBA subsequently paid the judgment sum, whether the order was stayed or overturned, or whether the debt has been fully settled.

Mauritz Walton has alleged that the bank failed to comply with the payment directive and has consequently initiated contempt proceedings against its senior executives.

The company is also reportedly seeking orders for the attachment of UBA’s headquarters and other branches in Abuja as part of efforts to recover the judgment debt.

Speaking on the dispute, the Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mauritz Walton Nigeria Limited, Dr Maurice Ibe, said the company had exhausted its patience after years of pursuing the enforcement of court judgments.

He disclosed that the company’s lawyers had been instructed to pursue the committal of officials considered responsible for the alleged non-compliance and explore every lawful avenue to recover the money.

Ibe also revealed that legal representatives had been engaged in the United Kingdom and the United States to examine possible legal actions involving UBA’s assets and properties in those jurisdictions.

The businessman further alleged that UBA had frustrated the enforcement of an earlier judgment obtained by Mauritz Walton against the Ebonyi State Government. However, the allegation has not been independently established.
He insisted that the company would continue to explore all available legal remedies until the judgment debt was recovered.

The latest development has once again drawn attention to the enforcement of court judgments and the legal responsibilities of banks involved in garnishee proceedings.

UBA’s response to the allegations, the reported police visits and claims of non-compliance with the court order was not available at the time of filing this report.