Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi has revealed that his Ogun state Property & Investment Corporation (OPIC) agreement was allegedly revoked by former governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun.
Gatekeepers News reports that the statutory corporation, OPIC focuses on development of residential, commercial, and industrial real estate projects in the state and the nation at large.
The revelation is in sequence with Amosun’s claim that Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese company, presented false information during his tenure as Ogun state Governor.
Recall that a Paris court recently ordered the seizure of three jets belonging to Nigerian government over a dispute involving an arbitration award in favour of the Chinese firm.
The court ruled that the firm should use the three jets at the Paris-Le Bourget and Basel-Mulhouse international airports “as security for its claim of EUR 74,459,221”.
Ogun state government on Thursday, alleges it was not notified of the court’s order.
Thereafter, presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga asserted that federal government is not under any contractual obligation with Zhongshan and accused the Chinese firm of using unorthodox and subterfuge means to take away Nigeria’s offshore assets.
The former Ogun state Governor on Saturday, advised federal government to refrain from negotiating with Zhongshan.
Subsequently, Utomi took to his official x account on Sunday, to reveal that he was also a victim of Amosun’s violation of contract terms.
Utomi noted that despite meeting with Amosun and seeking help from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Bisi Akande, an ex-interim national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), the issue is still unresolved.
He said, “So it was Gov Amosun’s violation of contract terms signed by his predecessor that brought the shame of seizure of jets from the Presidential fleet. I hope he is happy at his achievement.”
“The whole matter is Khama at work. The Chinese were not the only victims. One prominent Ogun indigene allegedly committed suicide with similar Amosun action. I too was a victim.”
“I had leased OPIC land in Lagos in a BOT agreement under Gov Daniel. Amosun stopped all such on being sworn in. I called him. He said he did not see my name on the list.”
“I went to Abeokuta and he called in Yewandw Amusan who said mine was a straight forward deal they did not include it. He asked that all be included but mine be quickly sorted.”
“That began a rigmarole that went on for years. I made another trip to Abeokuta. He drove me back to Lagos at the wheels with my driver trailing along with the escorts and sirens.”
“He had earlier asked that I make a request for refund of what I paid even though my South African partners and I had invested 200m in addition to the lease amount at the time.”
“With just two of us in the car he advised I make a claim for 100m and write for additional payments the day after I cash the cheque. It was surreal but if I got nothing more it would be better than being in court until we both retire. I took the case to APC leader BAT and Baba Akande.”
Utomi added that he also sought intervention from Dapo Abiodun, incumbent Ogun Governor, but nothing came out of it.
He said, “No result. Took it to Dapo Abiodun when he took over. Nothing came of it. If this happened to Frieda I wondered what enemies were going through. I lost my weary SA partners who owned a successful regional chain across Southern Africa and Asia. I licked my wounds and Slaved to pay off the loans.”
“The Chinese had better leverage. They took it and all are shamed. My new book Power Policy Politics and Performance documents a similar case study in Enugu involving SA investors as the gubernatorial batons changed hands.”
“When shall we learn. Values shape human progress.”
