Presidential jets seizure: Utomi accuses Amosun of breaching contract
Renowned economist Professor Pat Utomi has accused former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun of breaching contractual agreements, leading to significant financial losses and international embarrassment for Nigeria. Utomi’s allegations were detailed in a post on his X handle on Sunday, where he recounted how Amosun’s actions resulted in the seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets in France.
According to Utomi, Amosun disregarded a contractual agreement made by the previous Ogun State administration, similar to his alleged treatment of the Chinese firm Zhongshan. This violation, Utomi claimed, led to the court-sanctioned seizure of the jets.
Utomi expressed frustration over his dealings with Amosun, describing how the former governor led him through a prolonged and ultimately fruitless process, leaving him with a substantial debt. Despite meeting with Amosun twice to resolve the issue, Utomi said he was left in a difficult financial situation.
In his post, Utomi wrote: “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.”
Utomi revealed that he had leased land from the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) in Lagos under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement during the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel. However, upon taking office, Amosun halted all such agreements, including Utomi’s.
Utomi recounted how Amosun initially dismissed his concerns, claiming he did not see Utomi’s name on the list of agreements to be honored. After several meetings and a prolonged rigmarole, Amosun advised Utomi to request a partial refund of his investment, despite the substantial funds Utomi and his South African partners had already invested.
“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 for 100m 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,” Utomi recounted.
Utomi said his attempts to seek intervention from APC leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former APC chairman Bisi Akande yielded no results. His efforts to resolve the matter with the current Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, also proved unsuccessful.
Utomi concluded his post by reflecting on the broader implications of Amosun’s actions, noting that his South African partners eventually pulled out of the project, leaving him to bear the financial burden alone.
“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 added.
