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Pat Utomi tried to hustle N200 million from me with fake leadership award: Ibikunle Amosun
Former Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has alleged that political economist, Pat Utomi, organised a fake leadership award to extort N200 million from him as a way of getting a refund of the investment he claimed to have lost during his tenure in office.
Mr Amosun’s accusation was in response to Mr Utomi’s “snide remarks” about him on X on Sunday, where he slammed the former governor for violating the contract signed by his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel, with a Chinese investment group in 2007 out of malice.
Following the comment, Mr Amosun said Mr Utomi was only sulking because he refused to feed his entitlement mentality, stating that the professor’s N200 million claim shares similarities with that of the investment group, Zhongfu International Investment FXE.
Sharing his side to the story, the senator said upon his assumption into office as governor in 2011, he found out that the state house of assembly had already blacklisted Mr Utomi as a personal non grata and named him an enemy of the state.
“Before I came into office, the Ogun State House of Assembly had passed a personal 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,” Mr Amosun explained.
He said Mr Utomi, “however, told me, amongst other things, that there was an ongoing construction in an Ogun State property that had become controversial. I immediately raised a team for verification and to know what to do.”
“The team I sent said the land was inappropriate because the said construction was being done in the car park of the Ogun property on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Road in Lagos State. My team then suggested somewhere else. But he didn’t want another place because, according to him, the place in question gave more visibility,” said Mr Amosun.
He explained that, “after our in-house assessment, my team concluded he could not have spent more than N35m or at most, N50m on the construction as of then. At that point, I decided to visit myself.”
“In addition, it was discovered that the so-called work done was hurriedly executed in the wake of the realisation that another political party had won the governorship election and would take over the reins of leadership in the state,” he added.
He stated that the move by Mr Utomi was an attempt to ambush the state government under his watch and presenting his administration with a Fait Accompli, which he described as a situation that would have led to controversy about demolition of an on-going project.
Mr Amosun further revealed, “just so that his investment in the state would not go to waste, I committed to making a refund of N100 million as against his claim of N200 million. He pressured me ceaselessly to pay him N200 million, but I did not yield.”
“As part of his determination to sway me, he deployed his Centre for Value in Leadership, CVL, through the instrumentality of an Award. At first, it all looked curious that I’d just been in office for about two years, and here I was being given an award, so I rejected it.
“But he insisted that I honour his CVL SOLUTION CONFERENCE SERIES with my presence, which I did, and I was given a plaque for participating. But I did not change my position on the refund of N100 million as against his N200 million claim,” he narrated further.
Mr Amosun said Mr Utomi complained to some people few years later with the intent to malign him, stating that, “when I heard, I called to tell him off because his problem was purely one of entitlement mentality,” adding that, “He even boasted, asking me: ‘Do you know who I am?’ Imagine! But I ignored him because I immediately saw through his true colour. In my book, it’s one law for everyone, no matter who you are.”
The former governor challenged anyone to meet him at the construction site to see the said N200 million investment Mr Utomi claimed to have made there, as he wondered what benefit the project would have been to the state.
He said, “Nobody can talk me down in order to look good. I served Ogun State passionately with all my strength, and I did with my shoulders high. I stand by every decision I took, whether or not people like Pat Utomi were in agreement with me.
“Utomi knows his case did not even have any legs to stand on. He is not different from Zhongfu International Investment FXE. He knows he can not lay claims to any lawful damage done to his investment. All he has tried to do is a ‘me too’, which is very disgraceful,” the senator added.
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Over 21 Vehicles stolen in Canada shipped to Nigeria recovered, returned to Canadian authorities
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has officially handed over 21 imported stolen vehicles to Canadian authorities in Lagos, as part of an ongoing crackdown on international vehicle trafficking syndicates.
In a separate operation, Adeniyi also showcased arms and ammunition intercepted from a luxurious bus traveling from Aba, Abia to Lagos.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Adeniyi highlighted the alarming rise of West Africa as a central hub for the global stolen vehicle trade. He explained that the illicit network spans from Europe and North America to regions as distant as South America and Australia. The Customs CG emphasized that recent efforts have significantly intensified to dismantle vehicle trafficking rings operating within Nigeria’s borders.
“The growing trend of stolen vehicles entering our region is a major concern,” Adeniyi said. “Not only does it harm the local automotive market, but it also puts immense pressure on our security infrastructure.”
Referring to recent reports from INTERPOL, Adeniyi underscored the gravity of the situation. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, between 2013 and 2015, only 54% of stolen vehicles were recovered, pointing to the sophistication and scale of these criminal enterprises.
“The continued influx of stolen vehicles into West Africa is a direct threat to our economy,” Adeniyi added. “It undermines our international reputation, causes significant revenue losses, and drives up security-related expenses.”
The Customs CG also praised international law enforcement for their collaborative efforts, revealing that intelligence sharing has been crucial in identifying stolen vehicles making their way into the region. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with global partners to combat this rising threat.
“The economic implications of this criminal enterprise are far-reaching and deeply concerning. Beyond damaging our legitimate automotive trade sector and international business relationships, it undermines President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda that aims to position Nigeria as a trusted hub for international commerce.
“The Service is forced to divert substantial resources towards enhanced border management and rigorous verification processes – resources that should ideally be channelled towards trade facilitation initiatives and economic growth programmes. This criminal activity not only strains our operational capacity but also threatens the government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and establish Nigeria as a reliable partner in global trade.
“In response to these challenges, the Nigeria Customs Service initiated Operation Hot Wheels, a targeted enforcement initiative aimed at disrupting the flow of stolen vehicles into Nigeria through our ports and borders. Launched as a collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Canadian authorities, the operation focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated surveillance, and strategic interdiction.
“The operation’s primary objectives included identifying and intercepting stolen vehicles, dismantling trafficking networks, and strengthening international cooperation in combating transnational vehicle theft. This multi-agency approach was designed to leverage the unique capabilities and jurisdictional advantages of each participating organisation.
“Through enhanced intelligence gathering and strategic deployment of resources, our officers at various commands have successfully intensified surveillance operations while ensuring minimal disruption to legitimate trade flows.
“Through collaboration with Operation Screen West Africa (OSWA) and Interpol, two of these vehicles were confirmed stolen from Canada.
“Simultaneously, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ demonstrated exceptional vigilance with strategic interdictions at various locations in Lagos, including: One Mercedes-Benz G550 with Range Rover Sport, valued at N506.8 million, intercepted along Trinity Axis; One Mercedes-AMG GT with Lamborghini Huracan, valued at N630.8 million; One Rolls Royce intercepted at Victoria Island, valued at N231.8 million; One Lamborghini 2019 Model recovered at Victoria Island, valued at N239.1 million; Two Range Rovers (2023 & 2018 Models) intercepted along Lekki, valued at N267.1 million.
“At Tincan Island Command Operations Additional luxury vehicles were intercepted through intelligence-led operations including three (3) Toyota, Highlander 2021 Models.
“These recoveries highlight both the sophistication of transnational vehicle theft syndicates and their evolving concealment methods. The criminals now employ various tactics, including false declarations and use of containerised shipments, attempting to circumvent our detection systems. Notably, the operation exposed how stolen vehicles are being smuggled through our ports using legitimate cargo as cover.
“The success of these operations stems from our enhanced risk management system and strengthened collaboration with international partners. Working closely with Operation Screen West Africa (OSWA), Interpol, and other international agencies, we have significantly improved our capacity to identify and intercept stolen vehicles. The interface between our systems and international databases has proven crucial in establishing the status of suspicious vehicles and enabling swift intervention.
“Operation Hot Wheels adds to our growing portfolio of collaborative successes in 2024, a year we have strategically dedicated to strengthening partnerships within the global Customs community. The operation’s success
stems from a seamless collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, the EFCC, and Canadian authorities, is evident that international cooperation is crucial in dismantling sophisticated criminal networks.
“This approach aligns with our commitment to adopting international best practices and leveraging shared intelligence to enhance our operational capabilities, serving as a template for future collaborations and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a committed partner in the global fight against transnational crime.”
House of Reps want local languages as medium of teaching in Primary, Secondary Schools
House of Reps want local languages as medium of teaching in Primary, Secondary Schools.
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SAD! Five Confirmed Fatalities In Delta Boat Mishap
No fewer than five people have lost their lives following a boat accident on the Bennett Island River in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. The tragic event occurred on Monday night, leaving the local community in shock.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Tuesday in Asaba, the state capital.
According to Edafe, one individual is still missing, while several others were injured in the accident.
“There was a boat accident along Bennett Island River in Warri South,” he said. “Five persons were found dead, six persons injured and still receiving treatment. Nineteen persons were rescued from the scene, while one is still missing.”
The injured victims are reportedly receiving medical care at nearby facilities, while search and rescue efforts continue for the missing individual.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, but authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the tragic event. Incidents like these have raised concerns about the safety of water transportation in the area, especially as it remains a vital mode of transport for many residents in Delta State.
Local leaders and stakeholders have called for enhanced safety measures and stricter regulations to prevent such occurrences in the future. Efforts are also being made to provide support to the families of the victims and survivors of this heartbreaking incident.
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