Parallex Bank Limited has asked the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed against it by logistics firm FHT Mega Express Limited, describing the action as an abuse of court process, incompetent, and lacking jurisdiction.

Justice Hauwa Lawal Gummi, on December 18, 2025, granted an ex-parte motion, issuing a temporary order freezing N7.154 billion in the bank’s account over a financial dispute between Parallex Bank and FHT Mega Express.

In its preliminary objection, supported by an affidavit sworn by a manager, Mrs. Cynthia Akunaeziri, Parallex Bank highlighted that it had earlier filed Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1774/2025 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, against FHT Mega Express and four others.

The suit, dated September 4, 2025, sought judgment of N4.5 billion, which is the firm’s outstanding indebtedness on certain Letters of Credit issued by the bank, and requested protection of the bank’s lien, as well as leave to dispose of the goods to satisfy the debt.

Parallex Bank contended that instead of allowing the Lagos Federal High Court to determine the debt issue, FHT Mega Express engaged in various strategies aimed at harassing the bank and frustrating the recovery of the debt.

The bank argued that FHT deliberately concealed from the FCT High Court the existence of the earlier Lagos suit, which contained a subsisting order for the parties to maintain the status quo.

The bank further alleged that FHT had previously attempted to secure a similar ex-parte order from the Lagos State High Court in Suit No: LD/ADR/6143/2025. However, Justice A.T. Muyideen refused the application, directing FHT to notify the bank instead.

Following this, FHT discontinued the Lagos suit and filed the same action in the FCT High Court, intentionally suppressing material facts about the pending Lagos case and its failed attempt to obtain ex-parte relief.

According to the bank, this misled the court into granting the ex-parte order, creating a risk of conflicting judgments from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

In its counter-affidavit, Parallex Bank affirmed that FHT deliberately commenced the FCT suit immediately after withdrawing the Lagos suit to re-litigate the same issues and seek ex-parte reliefs previously denied, amounting to a gross abuse of court process.

The bank concluded that justice would be best served by dismissing the suit.

The matter has been adjourned to February 4, 2026, for the hearing of the preliminary objection. Parallex Bank remains determined to recover the N4.5 billion owed by FHT Mega Express, which it claims the company continues to avoid paying through frivolous litigation.

Source; The Nation News