Our Reporter, Abuja
Political Economist and public intellectual, Professor Pat Utomi, has recounted his own bitter experience with the former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, similar to Chinese firm Zhongshan, leading to the seizure of the three Nigerian presidential jets in France after a court judgment.
Taking to his X handle on Sunday, Utomi detailed how Amosun left him with a N200million debt by giving him a runaround after disregarding a contractual agreement he had with the previous state government like he did to the Chinese firm.
Utomi in a lament said Amosun went ahead to deceive him despite meeting him twice in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
“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.
“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 for100m 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. No result. Took it to Dapo Abiodun when he took over. Nothing came of it. If this happened to friend 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,” Utomi posted.
