Upon his return, Naija News understands that Tinubu will preside over the inauguration of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria on Friday.

Sources within the Presidency informed WESTERN POST that Tinubu, who traveled to France on Monday, will make a swift return to Abuja, viewing the swearing-in of Justice Kekere-Ekun not only as a constitutional obligation but also as a historic responsibility.

It was previously reported that the National Judicial Council had recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is set to officially retire on Thursday, August 22.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, earned her bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, after completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School. She furthered her education at the London School of Economics, obtaining a master’s degree in Law in November 1983.

Her career began in the Lagos State Judiciary as Senior Magistrate II, eventually rising to the position of State High Court Judge. Between November 1996 and May 1999, she served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja.

In 2004, Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Nigerian Court of Appeal, and in July 2013, she was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

[NaijaNews]

Nigerian born New Zealand’s mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya on Thursday arrived in Lagos with his parents after losing the UFC 305 crown to South African Dricus Du Plessis.

Adesanya arrived in Nigeria after the African Martial artist champion taunted his heritage during their press conference ahead of the UFC 305 middleweight title fight.

Du Plessis forced Adesanya to submit in the fourth round to retain his title and earned an opportunity to defend his title next in his home country of South Africa, as earlier promised by UFC President Dana White.

The Nigerian born style-blender, in a video shared on his Instagram and recirculated on X, arrived at Lagos airport and was received by fans who warmly welcomed him and his family with Yoruba music.

A group of local drummers performed to welcome the fighter, who famously refers to himself as “Omo Oba”, which means the king’s son or prince.

[Leadership]

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the full implementation of the directive of President Bola Tinubu on the supply of crude to Dangote refinery and modular refineries in the country.

Yakubu Maikyau, President of the NBA and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said this on Wednesday in Lekki, Lagos State.

Describing the establishment of the refinery as both nationalistic and patriotic endeavour, the umbrella professional association of lawyers, urged the Federal Government and Nigerians to support the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to end the reign of fuel scarcity and perennial queues at filling stations in the country.

It expressed disappointment that the major project is encountering strong resistance from fuel importers, who have stifled the economy and kept it reliant on imported refined petroleum products, despite Nigeria’s status as a leading crude oil producer.

Maikyau, who led other leaders and members of the association on a visit to the facility, praised the President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for remaining steadfast despite the opposition faced.

He said: “What I have seen today gladdens my heart, but at the same time, my heart is bleeding because of the neglect and opposition that such a laudable effort is facing. It is shameful, but as I mentioned to the President of the group, his continued steadfastness and resilience despite the opposition show that there is hope for this country.

“I would describe Aliko Dangote as both a freedom fighter and an economic warrior. There is no one more honourable or patriotic than Dangote. He has proven this through his actions, not just words. This isn’t about what someone might tell you; we have witnessed the enormous investments he has made in this country.”

He urged the Federal Government to create a supportive environment for the refinery, aiming to transform Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products and to alleviate the severe hardships caused by fuel scarcity.

He lamented that it is shameful for the refinery to import crude from abroad and export refined products due to opposition from local players.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to pay deliberate and conscious attention to what Dangote is doing. Anyone serious about turning around the fortunes of this country cannot ignore Dangote’s efforts.

“This is a people-centered investment that must be supported. This is the type of investment we need, and wherever such investments exist in this country, we urge the government to create an enabling environment for the benefit of the people. If we establish a supportive environment for this refinery to operate, we will eliminate the queues on our streets and resolve the difficulties associated with the scarcity of petroleum products.

“However, we will need the government to demonstrate a willingness to support this crucial venture. We have a facility here that can compete with the best in the world, but unfortunately, it is not receiving the support and recognition it deserves. It is disgraceful that with a refinery of this capacity, where 86 tankers can be loaded at once, we still face fuel shortages,” he added.

Vice Chairman of the Epe Branch of the NBA, Ivo Takor, who praised the location of the refinery in the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis, said that the project has the potential to resolve the long-standing issue of fuel importation, create jobs, boost foreign exchange, and save the country money currently spent on subsidising petroleum products.

“The refinery is something every Nigerian should be proud of. It is a project that will move Nigeria away from its long-standing issue of fuel importation, which comes with its own set of problems. Currently, we are dealing with fuel scarcity and long queues. I believe that once this refinery is fully operational, these challenges will be resolved.

“Additionally, the refinery has the capacity to export some of its products, bringing foreign exchange into the economy. It will also reduce the government’s expenditure on subsidies, allowing funds to be redirected towards improving infrastructure, education, and the health sector. Since its construction, many jobs have been created, and further job creation will follow when it becomes fully operational,” he said.

He, however, noted that despite these benefits, there are some entrenched cartels against the full operation of the refinery.

While praising President Bola Tinubu for directing the supply of crude to both the refinery and modular refineries across the country, he emphasised the need for stringent monitoring to ensure compliance.

He stressed that withholding crude from the refinery constitutes sabotage against the nation and should be met with appropriate sanctions.

“Unfortunately, it appears that there is a well-established cartel working against the full operation of this refinery, specifically those who do not want to supply it with crude oil. It is illogical for Nigeria to export crude oil while the refinery also imports crude.

“This situation reflects the interests of entrenched forces who benefit from fuel importation, which negatively impacts the people and the economy. Fortunately, the president has issued a directive regarding the supply of crude to the refinery.

“However, beyond this directive, it is crucial to ensure compliance. Those who do not comply should face adequate sanctions, as failure to do so constitutes sabotage not only against the refinery but against the economy as well,” he said.

The Vice President (Oil & Gas) at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, informed the delegates, that the refinery was established primarily to source and refine local crudes for the benefit of Nigeria, while also exporting excess production to boost the economy.

Edwin noted that the lack of sufficient Nigerian crude supplies has necessitated importing crude from other countries and continents while exporting refined petroleum products abroad.

[DailyTrust]

Ndidi helped Leicester City earn a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the King Power Stadium on Monday night.

Pedro Porro gave Spurs the lead, while Leicester City skipper James Vardy restored parity for the home side.

Ndidi had incredibly cleared the ball off the line to deny Spurs taking the lead in the sixth minute.

Smith, who was on commentary duty for Sky Sports, praised the experienced Nigerian midfielder for his heroic effort.

“That was a sensational clearance from Wilfried Ndidi off the line. It really was,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

The Super Eagles midfielder played the entire duration of the game.

He managed 57 touches, completed 79 per cent of his passes, had one shot on target, won four of his eight ground duels, won the only aerial duel he contested, and made four clearances and two blocks.

[DailyPost]

Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS),  has sealed four hotels and recreation centres in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government area over unsettled tax liabilities amounting to 

N16,737,488.54 million.

The hotels sealed by the Revenue Agency include: Kyus Hotel, Secretariat Road Kafanchan, Sunshine Lodge Hotel, Secretariat Road Kafanchan, Bayan Hotel, Madakiya Road, Kafanchan and Cloud -9 Lounge Unguwan Musa, Kafanchan. 

Leading the enforcement team, KADIRS Chairman, Mr Jerry Adams, said, the Service had secured court order for the immediate closure and taking over of the entire properties of the defaulting businesses until all unpaid taxes are settled.

He said KADIRS as backed by the law, will ensure that all taxes that are due to the State are remitted to the government coffers.

According to him: “As a tax administration body of Kaduna State, we are backed by the law to ensure that all taxes that are due to the State are remitted to the state. But, we have some recalcitrant tax payers who would never voluntarily comply tkk on our tax laws.

“So, this exercise today is to enforce and ensure that, ever tax payer expected to pay tax to the government pays and we will continue to enforce because we have the backing of the law. 

“The state needs the monies to provide infrastructures. As you can see, the Governor, Senator Uba is doing so much despite the huge debt burden on the state.”

Adams said the Service will go to all the major cities on the enforcement exercise, calling on all individuals and organizations to pay their taxes.

[TheNation]

The body of UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch was recovered Thursday from his sunken yacht off Sicily, as the search continued for the last of the six people missing.

Specialist divers were still looking for a missing woman, a coastguard official told AFP, with a source close to the investigation having earlier indicated Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah had yet to be found.

On Wednesday they pulled up four bodies from the wreck of the “Bayesian”, while another was brought to shore in Porticello, on the north of the Italian island near Palermo, Thursday morning.

The latest grim discovery brings the death toll to six, after the body of a man believed to be the yacht’s chef was found shortly after the ship went down in a storm before dawn on Monday.

The 56-metre (185 feet) British-flagged sailing boat had been anchored some 700 metres off Porticello, near Palermo on the north of the Italian island, when it was struck by a waterspout — akin to a mini-tornado.

It sank within minutes.

Fifteen people were rescued, including Lynch’s wife, but the businessman and his daughter were among six people reported missing.

‘Errors’

The passengers were guests of 59-year-old Lynch — a celebrated technology entrepreneur and investor sometimes referred to as the UK’s answer to Bill Gates — celebrating his recent acquittal in a massive US fraud case.

Lynch’s lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda, and Jonathan Bloomer, the chair of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife Judy, were also among the missing.

Many questions remain about why the yacht sank, and on Thursday the head of the company which built the boat said the tragedy could have been avoided.

“Everything that was done reveals a very long summation of errors,” said Giovanni Costantino, head of the Italian Sea Group, which includes the Perini Navi company that built “Bayesian”.

He told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper that bad weather was forecast and all the passengers should have been gathered at a pre-arranged assembly point, with all the doors and hatches closed.

Security camera footage of the ship from the shore showed the lights on its mast going out, which Costantino said indicated a short circuit, meaning that the ship had already taken on water.

“A Perini ship resisted Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 (hurricane). Does it seem to you that it can’t resist a tornado from here?” he told the newspaper.

‘Trapped like mice’
Costantino said it was “good practice when the ship is at anchor to have a guard on the bridge, and if there was one he could not have failed to see the storm coming”.

“Instead it took on water with the guests still in the cabin… They ended up in a trap, those poor people ended up like mice in a trap,” he said.

The “Bayesian” was built by the Italian shipbuilding firm Perini Navi in 2008 and boasted a 75-metre mast, the tallest aluminium sailing mast in the world, according to the Charter World website.

It was reportedly owned by Lynch’s family.

Lynch was acquitted on all charges in a San Francisco court in June after he was accused of an $11 billion fraud linked to the sale of his software firm Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard.

A co-defendant, former Autonomy executive Stephen Chamberlain, died after being hit by a car on Saturday in England.

Italian authorities have opened a probe into the sinking, while the UK’s marine accident investigation branch sent four inspectors to Palermo.

Vanguard News

Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has adjourned a hearing in the FCT minister‘s motion on the restriction order on participants of the hunger protest until Sept. 4.

The adjournment came after counsel to the FCT minister (claimant), Moses Ebute, SAN, told the court that he served the motion on notice on the respondents.

The counsel for the 1st to 4th respondents, Dr S.M. Oyeghe, did not oppose but asked for the motion to be served on them in court.

The other respondents were neither present in court nor legally represented.

Justice Oriji directed the claimant counsel to serve all the respondents, then adjourned until Sept. 4 for the motion.

The respondents in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, and Commissioner of Police.

Others are the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and the Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.

In his ruling on July 31, Justice Oriji recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, but restricted them to the stadium in view of the genuine fears expressed by the minister.

“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed.

He added that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.

He therefore ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.

In addition, the court ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing the same in the newspapers.

The judge gave the order following an application to that effect filed by Dr Ogwu Onoja, SAN, on behalf of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

At the sitting on Aug. 13, the FCT Minister, through his lawyer, drew the attention of the judge to a statement issued by one Damilare Adenola in which she threatened that the nationwide protests may be extended beyond the initial 10 days.

Onoja argued that since they were not in court and no one knew their next plan of action.

”It would be in order to extend the order to ensure that peace in the FCT was not unjustly disrupted.”

In a brief ruling, the judge granted the request and affirmed that the order of July 31 remained valid and in force.

Oriji further ordered that the respondents should be served with the hearing notice before the next adjourned date.

He subsequently adjourned until Aug. 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.

(NAN)

FIVE days after Comrade Joe Ajaero, former General Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, and Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, made history as the first NLC President to be elected unopposed at the 13th National Delegates Conference in Abuja, on February 8, 2023, I sat down with him in Lagos for an exclusive interview.

Still basking in the euphoria of his victory, he was hopeful and bullish as he discussed the labour movement, what Nigerians should expect of his presidency and the impending 2023 elections. He was analytical and measured.

Declaring that the NLC under his watch will live up to expectations, Ajaero quipped: “I am assuring longsuffering Nigerian workers that I will be their voice. We will cry their cry. We will carry their burden. We will identify with them. If there is any way we have lost touch with the people, we are reconnecting with them. We expect that they will reciprocate. It is not always that we will be on the streets but if there is need for that, we will be on the streets and we are ready to pay the price, no matter how high, to make sure that Nigeria gets better.”

On the impending elections, Ajaero sounded a note of warning: “NLC will work with whoever emerges President in a free and fair poll in the interest of Nigerian workers. But the NLC, under our watch, will not keep quiet in the face of any electoral malpractice. We will not keep quiet in the face of people winning elections and they are not declared winners. We will not keep quiet while rigging becomes the order of the day. The NLC will show more than a passing interest. We want to know how the elections are conducted, how things are done and we want to ensure that things are done well.”

Despite the assurances, I knew that the tenor of Ajaero’s presidency will be significantly impacted by the outcome of presidential election, convinced that any of the four frontline candidates – Bola Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP) and Musa Kwankwaso (NNPP) – who wins the election will naturally show more than a passing interest in the affairs of organised labour. But I was convinced that none of them, except Tinubu, will attempt an outright hostile takeover of the labour movement.

Under the watch of Obi, Atiku and even Kwakwanso, NLC will have its usual run-ins with the government which will typically flex muscles but ultimately sit down with the labour leadership for discussions but a Tinubu presidency will be a totally different ball game. Tinubu is one politician with fascist reflexes and takes no prisoners.

The issue of petrol subsidy has always been a volatile matter that galvanises organised labour into action. So, ordinarily, when Tinubu in his inaugural speech thundered that “subsidy is gone,” and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, subsequently jacked up the pump price of petrol, Nigerian workers would have poured out onto the streets.

Of course, the NLC leadership threatened strike. But the government swiftly swung into action, maximally deploying the devious instrument of ethnic baiting. Joe Ajaero, they lied, is an Obi and possibly Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, sympathiser who wants to call out Nigerian workers in his attempt to subvert the fledgling administration of Tinubu, a Yoruba. Suddenly, a proposed NLC action became an Igbo agenda. It worked. Even before the strike started, almost all the South-West state chapters pulled out. Ajaero, sensing a breakup of the NLC under his watch beat a tactical retreat. The proposed industrial action was called off.

Ajaero assured in our interview that he was ready to pay the price, no matter how high, to make sure that Nigeria gets better. I doubt if he ever imagined how high that price will be in a Tinubu Presidency.

He nearly lost his life when agents of the Imo State government led heavily armed police officers and thugs to abduct him from the Owerri secretariat of the NLC on November 1, 2023. He was mercilessly beaten and blindfolded before they took him away to an unknown destination where he was subjected to indescribable torture. At about 3.30 pm when worried colleagues finally made contacts with him, Ajaero had been severely brutalised and thoroughly humiliated. He was partially blinded and could hardly stand on his feet. The savagery was unconscionable. No other NLC president had been subjected to such demeaning ordeal, not even under military regimes. Till date, the police are yet to make any arrests, not to talk of bringing the pernicious characters who carried out the assault to book.

Then, on Monday, August 19, the Nigeria Police Force bared its fangs accusing Ajaero of committing heinous crimes that include terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime. In a letter signed by Adamu Muazu, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ajaero was ordered to appear before the Intelligence Response Team for interrogation on Tuesday, August 20, at 10 am even as they threatened to activate a warrant of arrest if he fails to honour the invitation.

These are crimes that attract severe punishment on conviction. The least, cybercrime, attracts punishment ranging from three to seven years imprisonment or fine options ranging from N5 million to N10 million; subversion attracts a fine of N5 million or seven years imprisonment; while as terrorism financing is a crime, punishable on conviction, with imprisonment for a term of not less than 20 years. Treason is punishable by death and treasonable felonies are punishable by imprisonment for life.

I doubt if there is any Nigerian that genuinely believes Comrade Joe Ajaero committed these crimes. Police know for sure that these are trumped up charges but they are pushing ahead believing that they will get away, once again, with their continued repression of every alternate voice. The idea is to put Ajaero away, if possible, for a considerable length of time because he is seen as the most potent obstacle to their anti-people policies. The Tinubu administration is busy dismantling all democratic guardrails, a prelude to erecting the pillars of a fascist Nigerian state. It is a patriotic duty to resist him. Sitting in our comfort zones and saying that it is not possible will be a grievous mistake.

Those who accuse Joe Ajaero of not pushing hard enough against the anti-people policies of the administration don’t appreciate what it means to be an NLC President in a Tinubu presidency. It is even worse that Ajaero is Igbo in a country where the presidency has unashamedly elevated the political and cultural polemics of ethnic baiting, racial dog whistles and threats to an art.

Ajaero has deployed wisdom and tact in navigating this very treacherous, uncharted waters. It has been a rather delicate balancing act to ensure that NLC is not splintered by the malevolent forces that are poised to do just that. He should not be vilified.

I have heard some Nigerians make snide remarks, insisting that it serves him right. Such people don’t get it. And to them, the 1946 post-war confessional prose by the German Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemöller, on the silence of German intellectuals and clergy following the Nazis’ rise to power and subsequent incremental purging of their chosen targets, group after group, should be instructive.

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me

Niemöller, an anti-Communist who supported Hitler’s rise to power, an action tantamount to riding on the back of a tiger, got eaten, literally, when he decided to dismount. That is what happens when people prop despots either by their acquiescence or inaction. This is not about Joe Ajaero. It is about the fate of Nigeria’s democracy. Nigerians must resist this bourgeoning fascism before it is too late. It is a patriotic duty.

Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, says the budget for government agencies under the presidency will be on a needs assessment basis.

Gbajabiamila spoke with reporters on Wednesday in Abuja after touring agencies that directly report to the presidency.

He was accompanied on the tour by Ibrahim Hadeija, deputy chief of staff, and Olufunso Adebiyi, permanent secretary of the Aso Rock villa, among others.

Some of the agencies under the state house are the Nigeria Agriculture and Land Development Agency (NALDA), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

The chief of staff said resources are limited and must be allocated to these agencies based on actual requirements.

“In any country in the world, resources are limited. For us it is about prioritising,” the former speaker of the house of representatives said.

“Where are we so far? What have the agencies done? How have they measured up to their mandates and how important are their mandates in terms of the vision of this administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda?

“A lot of agencies are not properly funded. Do we merge some of these agencies, do we scrap some?

“In 2025 we are not going to budget in a vacuum. We will budget based on needs assessment.”

At NALDA, the chief of staff said the Tinubu administration is committed to diversifying the economy in which agriculture has a major role to play.

“This government is particular about diversifying our economy and the role the agriculture sector has to play is very important,” he said.

“This government is focusing very seriously on agriculture and food security and we trust that NALDA will continue to be innovative in its operations, including developing greenhouses and supporting the cultivation of more arable land across the country.”

While visiting the NAEC office, Gbajabiamila reiterated the federal government’s commitment to developing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes such as electricity generation.

[TheCable]

Following the seizure of the country’s assets based on the ruling of a French court, former Ogun governor Ibikunle Amosun, put out successive press releases clarifying his role in the embarrassing situation. The first, explaining his responsibility in the matter between Ogun State and two Chinese companies (which culminated in the seizure of three presidential aircraft), was just as self-indicting as the second, a rejoinder to economist Pat Utomi. Both succinctly summarise everything wrong with leadership in this part of the world and why we just never seem to move forward. It is no longer news that we have bad leaders, but it was always distressing to see—through their self-narration—that we are ruled by people who are unethical, unthinking, and unsophisticated.

After reading both press statements, I concluded that the Chinese company’s enforcement of the law against Nigeria should not stop at seizing foreign assets. They should take Amosun with them. They can put him on the plantation for all we care.

Now, let me say that I have taken note that Amosun’s statement on Zhongfu’s duplicity, as much as they give him away as a poor administrator, is also one-sided. Until an investigative journalist can obtain and analyse the legal documents in the four Nigerian courts (where Zhongfu lost their cases) and the Paris arbitration tribunal (where they won) to provide a comprehensive picture of what unfolded, all we have to go by are the self-vindicating statements of each party. I should also add that this is not a defence of either Zhongfu or Utomi. Today, I am not particularly interested in the details of their deals with Ogun to take sides; I am only concerned with the naïve actions of the people who make the decisions that affect our lives.

In his press release, Amosun stated that two Chinese organisations fought over the lawful representative of the original joint venturer, Guangdong Province, China, and the right to manage the Ogun Free Trade Zone. Here is where it gets funny: 

Zhongfu International Investment FXE, pretending to be a concerned and genuine tenant and Zone stakeholder, volunteered very damaging and destructive information about the official representatives of Guangdong Province, the Joint Venturer and lawful Zone Managers, China Africa Investment FXE and subsequently requested to be appointed as Interim Zone Managers.

If a rival agency provides “damaging and destructive information” about its rival, common sense should tell anyone that whatever they are “volunteering” cannot be merely for charitable purposes. Amosun must have been wearing that his signature cap too tight for air to be let into his head because he apparently favoured the gossiping party for no reason other than their takedown of their opponent. According to him, it was only later that they discovered the information was a “tissue of lies.” When I read the part where he stated that unknown to the Ogun Government at the time, Zhongfu International Investment FXE merely sought to de-market China Africa Investment FXE and to surreptitiously covert the state-owned assets of Guangdong Province in China together with the zone ownership and management rights of their business rival, I thought Amosun should be flogged in the market square.

For a state government with an entire bureaucracy at its disposal, it should not have been “unknown” to you that you were being manipulated.  You could have done due diligence by carrying out an independent fact-finding mission before taking decisions rather than letting a self-interested agent do your homework. Also, between 2012 when you appointed Zhongfu as “interim managers” and 2016 when the Chinese government clarified that China Africa Investment FXE was the rightful investor, you did not do any independent work to ascertain the truth? If it would take the Chinese government for you to know what was true, why did you not contact them all along?

But that is one part of his self-indictment. The second part is revealed in his release where he responds to Utomi. He says, Before I came into office, the Ogun State House of Assembly had passed a persona non grata on Utomi, and put its resolution in the state’s black book. So, I was curious when I became governor and called Utomi to ask what the issue was. This was entirely at my discretion and not because he reached out to me. But I reckoned that as one with some degree of name-recognition, that should not be, and I wanted to know what happened.

What you quickly notice is that in his reply to Utomi is the change of tone. In the first statement, he was careful to assume corporate responsibility for the decisions that led to the Nigerian embarrassment. He made sure to use the pronoun “we,” and to state that this and that action was taken by “Ogun” or “our administration.” When he got into the spat with Utomi, he dropped the façade and reverted to the personal pronoun. Unlike the first where he was careful to spread responsibility for the failure of intelligence that has brought Nigeria to this point, the second revealed him as a governor who basically ran a one-man show while in office.

He left me wondering, why would you—as a governor—be curious about the legislature blacklisting an individual to the point of contacting the person? If you need to find out anything, why not read the records? I am sure Ogun lawmakers did not just blacklist Utomi; there had to be a documented reason somewhere. It was not enough that he reached out to someone on the state’s black book, but he also offered them N100m.

He said by their assessment of the project, the expenditure could not have exceeded N35m or at most N50m. So, how did he arrive at N100m as compensation? What bureaucratic procedure reviewed the project and thought N100m was due to the blacklisted Utomi as compensation? The only reason anyone would have needed to award a governor a plaque to cajole him to pay the N100m balance must have been because he personalised the government, and administrative decisions were based on his gut instinct rather than official procedure. Even you confirmed that by saying, But I did not change my position on the refund of N100 million as against his N200 million claim.

And then, the finisher: I challenge everyone, including journalists, to let us meet at the construction site and see the N200 million investment he claimed to have made there. Let them also ask what benefit the project would have been to Ogun State. But this again proves how poorly he thinks and decides. To calculate whether the project was worth the N200m Utomi claims or not, he asked us to meet at the site and assess with our eyes. For a chartered accountant, one would have expected he would provide us with audit documents. Was that how he arrived at the “N35m, or at most N50m” value of the project? He went there and used his eyes to “see.” Now you see why his calculations had a yawning disparity of N15m. If this is how he makes decisions, it is unsurprising that Zhongfu could turn him around.

Then he says after using our eyes to calculate, we should ask “what benefit the project would have been to Ogun State.” So, he did not think that the project would benefit the state, but he offered N100m for it. What kind of administrator does that? If Amosun could arbitrarily spend N100m on a “useless” project, who knows what else he wastefully expended the money that could have benefited the poor people of Ogun State on?

Honestly, the Chinese can keep him as part of enforcing the arbitration award. Except that he is not an asset—not to Nigeria, and definitely not to the business-savvy Chinese.