A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has ordered Telcom Satellites Limited, and its Chief Executive Officer, Bright Echefu, to pay a former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), a total of ₦938 million and US$1.42 million, along with post-judgment interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum until the debt is fully cleared.

Justice Bello Kawu made the order on July 7, 2025, while delivering judgment in the suit filed by Turaki against the TSTV and its CEO.

A certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Wednesday by The PUNCH.

Turaki, the claimant in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/332/23, sued TSTV and Echefu, as the 1st and 2nd defendants respectively, over unpaid debts.

In a writ of summons supported by a 27-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Turaki, he stated that TSTV, a company duly incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020, presented itself as an indigenous cable satellite television provider rendering media and telecommunication services to him.

He said the 1st defendant (TSTV) operated from its head office located at Plot 859, Idu Industrial Area, Idu in Abuja.

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According to Turaki, the 2nd defendant, Echefu, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of TSTV and its alter ego, personally obtained loans from him under false pretences.

Turaki said he became aware of the defendants in 2018 through a close friend and associate who had been approached by Echefu to convince him to invest in TSTV.

He noted that after about two months of due diligence and negotiations with Echefu, he declined the invitation to invest in TSTV as the terms presented were not acceptable to the 1st defendant.

He said that following the failed investment proposal, Echefu continued to mount pressure on him to invest in TSTV.

“Unrelenting in his efforts, the 2nd defendant wrote a letter conveying several propositions to me to come on board, including acquiring 35% of the shares of the 1st defendant and assuming its chairmanship,” he said.

According to Turaki, this proposal was made in a letter dated November 13, 2019.
He added that after persistent persuasion from Echefu and his collaborators, he agreed to serve as Chairman of TSTV and acquire 50% of its shares for the sum of ₦800 million.

He added that this decision was based on representations by Echefu that TSTV was a viable and profitable cable satellite company.

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“The 1st defendant, as a result, deceived me into acquiring 50% of its shares for ₦800 million, even though the company was moribund,” Turaki stated.

He further said that after assuming the position of Chairman and investing in the company, Echefu again exerted pressure on him to assist in raising additional funds for TSTV’s operations.

Turaki said that under pressure from Echefu, he introduced him to Tudu Ventures Nigeria Limited, which lent the defendants the following sums: ₦1.2 billion, ₦800 million, US$1.6 million and US$500,000.

The defendants allegedly failed to repay the loans, prompting Tudu Ventures to file a separate suit (FCT/HC/CV/1588/21) to recover the funds. Partial judgment was entered against the defendants on November 22, 2022.

Turaki said he also personally granted loans to Echefu at his request, amounting to ₦138 million, US$1.35 million, and an additional US$70,000.

“The defendants, via a letter dated January 5, 2021, acknowledged receipt of $1.28 million and ₦138 million as part of the loans advanced to them,” the claimant said.

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He added that the defendants later approached him again, stating that the $1.28 million was insufficient for its intended purpose and requested an additional $70,000, which he also provided, bringing the total loan to $1.35 million.

Turaki said Echefu once more approached him for a further loan of $70,000 to meet financial obligations, which was also granted.

“That the 2nd Defendant again approached me to advance a further loan of the sum of USS70,000, to enable them settle some financial exigencies, which was also advanced to the defendants”.

According to him, the defendants, through a payment proposal signed by Echefu for settling Tudu Ventures’ loans, his own loans, and the equity investment, agreed to repay $1.35 million, $70,000, and ₦138 million.

He added that Echefu’s Counsel, Adegboyega Awomolo, (SAN), via a letter dated November 22, 2022 agreed to pay the sum of N200,000,000 on or before July 15, 2022, through the said counsel as a demonstration of the 2nd Defendant’s good faith and commitment to liquidating his Indebtedness to him which the 2nd Defendant failed to keep.

Turaki said he later instructed his lawyers, N.A. Saidu Legal Consult issued a demand letter to Echefu seeking repayment, but no response was received.

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He emphasised that, given the efforts made and the lack of response from the defendants, it became clear to him that the defendants had no intention of repaying the loans which Echefu personally obtained and which are now overdue.

He, therefore, urged the court to compel the defendants to repay the outstanding loans with post-judgment interest of 10 per cent annually until the debt is fully liquidated.

In his judgment, Justice Kawu granted all the reliefs sought by Turaki.

He held, “An order of this Honourable Court directing the 1st and 2nd defendants, jointly and severally, to pay the claimant the sum of ₦138,000,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million Naira) being the total loan advanced, now due and unpaid.

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“An order directing the 1st and 2nd defendants, jointly and severally, to pay the claimant the sum of US$1,350,000 (One Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand US Dollars) being the total loan advanced, now due and unpaid.

“An order directing the 1st and 2nd defendants, jointly and severally, to pay the claimant the sum of US$70,000 (Seventy Thousand US Dollars) being the total loan advanced, now due and unpaid.

“An order directing the 2nd defendant to pay the claimant the sum of ₦800,000,000 (Eight Hundred Million Naira) being the total sum paid for 50% equity in the 1st defendant, despite knowing the company was moribund.

“An order awarding post-judgment interest at 10 per cent per annum on the total judgment sum from the date of the judgment until full satisfaction of the debt, and such further orders as the court may deem fit.”
(PUNCH)