Professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi has recalled his nasty experience in the hands of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his penchant for violation of contract terms.
Utomi spoke shortly after Amosun disclosed that he was deceived into handing over a free trade facility in Ogun State to an investment group from China.
In a 2007 contract between Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment and Ogun State, the Chinese company was expected to develop a free-trade zone where a massive industrial park was to be developed to attract investors.
Amosun as governor from 2011 to 2019, admitted in a statement personally signed by him on Saturday, that he didn’t conduct a proper assessment of facts before asking another Chinese team to take over the Ogun-Guandong Free Trade Zone in 2012.
This dispute has resulted in a French court ordering that three jets owned by the Nigerian government be seized.
Reacting to this on Sunday on his X, formerly Twitter, Utomi said he lost millions of Naira when Amosun cancelled a contract he had with Ogun State along with his South African partners. He alleged that he leased OPIC land in a BOT agreement under former Gov Gbenga Daniel but Amosu stopped the contract when he was sworn in.
“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 at 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 Yewande 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 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.
“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 Humanity”, said Utomi.
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