A fresh controversy has erupted involving former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and renowned political economist Pat Utomi, following accusations that Amosun violated contract terms, leading to the controversial seizure of jets from Nigeria’s presidential fleet.
Pat Utomi, in a statement on Sunday, accused Amosun of actions that not only led to the seizure of three presidential jets by a French court but also allegedly caused an Ogun indigene to commit suicide.
The dispute centers on a 2007 agreement between the Ogun State government and Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment, a Chinese company, to establish a free trade zone and industrial park in the state.
It was gathered that the contract was terminated between 2015 and 2016 during Amosun’s tenure, resulting in a prolonged legal battle that culminated in the recent impounding of the jets.
Utomi, who also claims to be a victim of Amosun’s actions, recounted his own experience with the former governor.
According to Utomi, a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement he had under Governor Daniel for land in Lagos was abruptly halted by Amosun upon assuming office.
Despite personal interventions and appeals, Utomi alleged that Amosun reneged on their agreement, resulting in financial losses amounting to N200 million and the eventual withdrawal of his South African business partners.
In a detailed statement shared on his X account, Utomi said, “The whole matter is karma at work. The Chinese were not the only victims; a prominent Ogun indigene allegedly committed suicide due to similar actions by Amosun.”
He described how the former governor advised him to make a claim for N100 million, a suggestion he found surreal but ultimately considered to avoid a prolonged court battle.
In a swift rebuttal, Amosun dismissed Utomi’s claims, describing him as having an “entitlement mentality.”
Amosun recounted his own version of events, stating that the Ogun State House of Assembly had declared Utomi a persona non grata before he took office.
According to Amosun, Utomi’s construction project on Ogun State property in Lagos was inappropriate and appeared to be a last-minute effort to secure a controversial deal before a change in government.
Amosun insisted that Utomi’s claims of a N200 million investment were exaggerated, and he challenged anyone, including journalists, to visit the construction site and assess the actual value of the work done.
“Nobody can talk me down in order to look good,” Amosun stated, defending his decisions while in office.
He also compared Utomi to Zhongshan, claiming that neither could lawfully claim any damage to their investments under his administration.