The former Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, denied allegations made by economist Pat Utomi regarding a contractual breach during his time in office.
Utomi suggested that Amosun's decisions caused financial losses, akin to a Chinese company's situation leading to the seizure of Nigerian presidential jets. Amosun dismissed these accusations as unfounded, attributing them to a "sense of privilege."
The former governor provided a detailed account of the situation, clarifying that Utomi's proposed project did not align with the designated land in Ogun State. Amosun also revealed that despite offering ₦100 million as compensation, Utomi requested a larger sum. He claimed that the economist leveraged his connections to pressure the government and even tried to extort him.
The former governor invited Utomi for a site visit to verify the investment made and reiterated his innocence, emphasizing the state's interests were paramount. Amosun disclosed that prior to his administration, the Ogun State House of Assembly had labeled Utomi persona non grata, a detail he discovered upon assuming office. Upon contacting Utomi, it was revealed that a construction project was in dispute on Ogun State property in Lagos.
Amosun verified the unsuitability of the land due to construction in the property's parking area, prompting a suggestion for an alternative site. Despite this, Utomi rejected the alternative, preferring the original site for its visibility.
Amosun's team estimated Utomi's investment at around ₦35 million to ₦50 million. Subsequently, Amosun conducted a personal site visit.
Responding to Utomi's accusations, Amosun reached out to address the situation, attributing the issues to an entitlement complex. Utomi's attempt to leverage his status with claims like "Do you know who I am?" was dismissed by Amosun, emphasizing equality under the law for all.
"No one can intimidate me to gain favor. I served Ogun State with dedication and integrity, and I stand by every decision I made, even if individuals like Pat Utomi disagreed.
Utomi acknowledges his claims are baseless, akin to Zhongfu International Investment FXE. He recognizes he cannot claim lawful damages for his investment. His actions are a mere 'me too' attempt, which is truly disgraceful."
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