Mrs Titi Atiku Abubakar, wife of a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, maintained before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja that she can choose to bear any name she wishes.
She stated this while testifying in an N918 million Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) fraud case between her and two of her former business partners maintained further that she chose to bear Florence Doregos in many of her transactions as it was more comfortable for her.
The defendants in the suit are an Akwa Ibom ex-governorship aspirant, Asikakabasi Jacobs, Abdulmalik Ibrahim and Dana Motors Nigeria Limited.
The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly defrauding a company, THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd, where Mrs. Atiku was the largest shareholder.
“Even Dino Melaye was called Daniel but he chose Dino, so I can twist my name the way I want because it is my name,” Atiku argued when the first defendant’s counsel, Mr. Amos Ibe, asked her about the disparity in her names.
“It is more comfortable for me to use my maiden name,” Mrs. Atiku stated.
She further stated that she wrote her maiden name, Florence Doregos on her statements at the EFCC office because that was the name she used in registering THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd at the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Mrs Atiku also clarified that the N1.2bn she alleged that the defendant didn’t pay back to her while in the petition she wrote to the EFCC, N200m, was said to have been invested in the business, noted that when the investment matured it was worth N1.2bn.
The defendants, who were arraigned by the EFCC on 15 counts before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye, were charged with conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of property belonging to THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd.
Atiku had, earlier in her evidence, told the court that THA Shipping Maritime Services Ltd. was formed in 2000 with 49 per cent shares to her, 25 per cent to Holmes and 25 per cent to Jacobs.
Jacobs, who doubled as the company’s Managing Director and Secretary, was, however, alleged to have gone to the CAC where he altered the share arrangement in his favour.
Atiku alleged that the first defendant forged a company board resolution re-distributing the share ownership giving himself 70 per cent, 15 per cent to her and 15 per cent to Holmes.
“With the share re-distribution, Jacobs assumed full ownership of THA Shipping and subsequently sold a company property worth N918m to Dana Motors Nigeria Ltd.” Atiku said.
Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter till July 5 and 6 for continuation of trial.
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