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Pat Utomi says Ogun ex-governor Amosun revoked OPIC agreement, leading to Jet seizures
Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, has accused former Ogun state governor Ibikunle Amosun of revoking an agreement with the Ogun State Property & Investment Corporation (OPIC), resulting in severe consequences.
The OPIC is responsible for real estate development within Ogun state and Nigeria.
Utomi’s comments were in response to Amosun’s claims that Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Ltd., a Chinese company, provided false information during his tenure.
A recent ruling by a Paris court ordered the seizure of three Nigerian government jets, valued at €74.46 million, in favor of the Chinese firm, over a disputed arbitration award.
The Ogun government stated they were not informed of this order, while a presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, denied any contractual obligation with Zhongshan, accusing the company of using unorthodox methods to claim Nigeria’s assets.
Amosun urged the federal government to avoid negotiations with Zhongshan. In response, Utomi revealed that Amosun’s alleged violation of contract terms affected not only the Chinese firm but also himself and others.
Utomi detailed his struggle to resolve the issue, despite seeking help from President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders.
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Despite approaching the current Ogun governor, Dapo Abiodun, Utomi’s situation remains unresolved. He shared his ordeal as a cautionary tale of how such actions can lead to severe repercussions for all involved.
Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, has recounted how his OPIC agreement was allegedly revoked by Ibikunle Amosun, the former governor of Ogun state.
“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 with his achievement,” Utomi said.
“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. 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 a 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.
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“With just the two of us in the car he advised me to 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 went to Dapo Abiodun, incumbent Ogun governor, to seek intervention but nothing came out of it.
“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,” Utomi said.
“The Chinese had better leverage. They took it and all were 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.