13:53:00
Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, has just taken over all assets owned by Silverbird Group. Silverbird Group is accused of owing the government agency about N11billion.
Policemen have barricaded all properties belonging to Silverbird Group owned by Senator Ben Murray Bruce.
Silverbird TV station has stopped live transmission of its programmes, showing only recorded programmes. As at 9:25AM on Wednesday when our correspondent tuned in to the channel, the screen was blank with nothing being transmitted.
It remained so until the time of filing this report.
Guests and staff have also been asked to vacate all premises of the Silverbird TV stations and Cinemas.
When our correspondent visited the assets of the three companies (Silverbird Galleria Limited, Silverbird Promotions Limited, and Silverbird Showtime Limited) belonging to Senator Ben Murray Bruce in Abuja, the properties were sealed and no one was allowed access into the premises.
DAILY POST observed that other firms within the building, not owned by the Senator were also affected as the owners and workers were locked out. Workers, customers with the shoprite and other firms within the building were turned back.
Speaking with DAILY POST, a law enforcement agent at the entrance of the Galleria who does not want his name in print said, “For now, nobody, not even officials of this place will be allowed in, as you can see. The press is also not allowed to go in.”
Another officer told this newspaper thus, “You can only go in if you are working with UBA or Unity Bank.”
“I’m sure you know the takeover followed the order granted by the Federal High Court, Lagos, that Oga Commonsense’ companies are owing AMCON the sum of N11 billion which the companies have defaulted in paying up.
“They said he used his companies as collateral in 2005 and 2007 to borrow various sums of money from the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and failed to pay back as promised and it is long overdue,” he added.
Some stranded workers complained that if they had seen this coming, they would have rested at home.
Speaking on conditions of anonymity, a lady lamented, “Why has this man failed to pay back the loan. I hear it is over N10bn. He is indebted and will be feeling like a king.”
she said, “Only his wardrobe allowance should be enough to foot the debt.
“I was here at 7am when policemen came and politely chased us out. I work in the Galleria.”
Meanwhile, efforts to reach Senator Ben Murray Bruce on his mobile phone were futile as at press time.
