Nigerian professor of political economy and management expert, Professor Pat Utomi, has attributed the ongoing legal dispute between Nigeria and Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, a Chinese company, to the indiscretion of former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.
Speaking on Sunday on News Central TV, Professor Utomi accused Amosun of violating several contracts, including one with Zhongshan Fucheng that had been agreed upon by a previous administration. Utomi’s remarks came in response to Amosun’s admission that he had cancelled the agreement with Zhongshan Fucheng because the company allegedly provided fake documents, labeling them as “impostors.”
A French court later ruled in favour of the Chinese company, resulting in the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets.
In a tweet on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Utomi shared that he too had faced similar issues with Amosun’s administration. According to Utomi, Amosun’s violation of contract terms signed by his predecessor led to the embarrassing seizure of jets from Nigeria’s Presidential fleet.
Meanwhile, former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, responded by describing Professor Pat Utomi as an “enemy of the state.” Amosun made this statement while reacting to Utomi’s post on X, where Utomi accused him of dishonouring agreements made by the previous administration. Amosun also hinted that the Ogun State House of Assembly had declared Utomi persona non grata.
He accused Amosun of cancelling contracts signed during the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, including his own contract and that of Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Company Limited. Utomi further alleged that Amosun’s actions led to a prominent Ogun State citizen taking his own life.
Responding to Amosun, Professor Utomi, who was a former presidential candidate under the African Democratic Congress, stated, “I didn’t do business with the government; go and check my entire career. However, when it comes to land matters, you have no option but to get your certificate of occupancy from the government.” He added, “I used to organise retreats for state governments, including Lagos State, and I didn’t charge anything. Yemi Cardoso, the current CBN governor, was in charge then; he can confirm this.”
He alleged that Amosun advised him to leave his project and take N200 million in lieu. He added that, when he was paid, he only got N100 million, and there’s been a rigmarole over the balance. The foremost Economist said he was disappointed that an accountant like Amosun could make such spurious statement.
Utomi also criticised Amosun’s statement, saying it reflected the lack of character among some politicians. “I had no transaction with Ogun State except for lectures I gave decades ago. So on what basis would I be declared persona non grata?” he questioned, challenging the former Governor’s honesty.