Abiola's Abandoned African Concord Complex Secretly Sold For N26b

One of late MKO Abiola's sprawling properties situated along Apapa/Oshodi Expressway, Isolo, Lagos has been sold for a whooping sum of N26billion.

The property which formerly belonged to Berec Batteries was bought by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola in the mid-eighties to serve as the permanent office of the defunct African Concord Magazine.

Unfortunately the untimely death of the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election and the deep in the fortunes of the weekly magazine forced a closure of the complex.

Though, there were attempts to revamp the complex alongside Concord premises situated along Local Airport Road, Ikeja by concerned allies of the late politician but it fell short of expectation due to family squabbles. 

The abandoned complex which sits on about 10 acres of land had since became a pathetic story as the once burgeoning premises soon became park for tankers and other articulated vehicles as well as field for footballers and squalors.

Interestingly, after almost 30 years of neglect, there are signs of activity within the complex.

Investigation revealed that the complex has been secretly sold for a whooping sum of N26billion.

The negotiation and sale of the complex, according to sources, was allegedly carried out discreetly by the eldest son of the late politician, Kola Abdulateef Abiola without the knowledge of his other siblings.

This revelation came to light as Deji Abiola, Kola's junior brother was astounded when security men at the complex told him the complex had been sold.

A bewildered Deji was reportedly left in a confused state even as he seemed not to fathom when and how the deal was sealed.

Sources close the family disclosed that the plot to sell the sprawling complex was hatched when Deji recently went abroad for medical treatment.

The Snoop, however, exclusive gathered that the complex was bought by a nearby Cocoa export company called Starlink Global & Ideal Limited.

The company which is owned by Dr. Murtadha Adeyemi Adeniji was recently granted $20.8milliom loan by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to construct and operate a 30,000-metric tonne per annum cashew processing factory in Lagos.

According to the facility agreement signed on July 22, 2024, Afreximbank would provide the funds in two tranches with the first tranche of US$7.48 million going toward capital expenditure for the construction of the factory and the second, totalling $13.25 million to be deployed as working capital for the operations of the factory.

Industry sources revealed that part of the Afreximbank loan was used in buying the former African Concord complex which Starlink Global & Ideal Limited is proposing as the operational base for it's cashew processing factory.

The new owners, we gathered have since taken possession of the complex by serving quit notices to owners of the parked articulated vehicles and squalors.

The sale of the complex is coming on the heels of complaints and allegations of high handedness and cornering of late Abiola's property levelled against Kola and his siblings by other children of the late philanthropist.

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 Lagos Assembly Summons Isolo Kingmakers

The impasse rocking the selection process for the new Oba of Isolo Kingdom is far from over as the Lagos State Assembly has summoned the Kingmakers to appear before it today, Wednesday 20th November 2024 at 11 a.m. prompt.

This is sequel to an invitation letter written by the Clerk of the House, O.B. Onafeko (a copy of which is in possession of The Snoop) was addressed to the Head of the Kingmakers Dr. Adesegun Agbabiaka.

The letter which was coded LSHA/LM/C/438/365 dated 18th November 2024 with the heading 'IRe: Protest Against Non-Transparent Selection Process of Osolo Vacant Stool- Invitation To Appear Before The Committee' informed the recipient of the committee's receipt of a petition dated 30th October on the above subject matter.

The letter which we gathered was individually addressed to all the four members of the Kingmakers directed the recipients to come along with relevant documents that would assist the committee in its deliberations. 

The Snoop exclusively gathered eight aggrieved  candidates to the Osolo throne wrote a petition to the State Governor, Babajide Olushola Sanwo-olu and copied the House of Assembly.

The petition dated 9th September 2024 was received the following day, 20th September. 

The petitioners alleged lack of transparency in the selection process no consultation of candidates before the rumoured selection and non-adherence to traditional rites and due consultation.

The petitioners therefore request the governor to disregard the selected candidate, the Kingmakers should retract statement suggesting a candidate had been selected even as a fresh selection process involving all the candidates should be conducted.

The petitioners include Saheed Adekunle Aregbe, Shakiru Adeola Sadiq, Alhaji Kolawole Goloba, Prince Kazeem Faronbi, Chief Ganiu Mustapha O, Prince Yahya Lawal-Arowooye, Aremo Abeeb Adeshina Faronbi and Moroof Ajala Goloba.

 Isolo Council Boss, Deputy Fight Dirty

There are indications that the centre can no longer hold between the Executive Chairman of Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Otunba Adebayo Olasoju and his deputy, Prince Shakirudeen Adeola Sadiq over an alleged complaint of neglect in the running of affairs in the council.

This indication became rife following a petition purportedly written by the deputy chairman to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa wherein Prince Sadiq complained of being totally neglected in the affairs of the council by the chairman.

The petition according to sources, detailed acts of neglect and usurpation of the role and duties of the vice chairman as well as how he was completely sidelined in decision-making process in the council.

"As it is, the vice chairman does not have a budget and portfolio attached to his office and does not make extra money aside from his monthly salary and allowances. He has been completely sidelined in the affairs of the council" says one of our sources.

The vice chairman was said to have complained to party leaders about his predicament but this has not yeilfed anything positive as the council boss has continued to run a one-man show.

The petition has since been refered to the House Committee on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development headed by Hon. Sanni Okanlawon for investigation.

Consequently, letters of invitation were said to have been dispatched to the concerned parties to appear before the committee tomorrow Wednesday 20th November 2024.

When proded about the Assembly's invitation, the Chief Press Secretary to the council chairman, Iskilu Rasheed denied knowledge of such invitation even as he insisted there is no friction between the council boss and his deputy.

However, there are signs that the impasse between the council bosses may escalate if the assembly fails to resolve the.crisis. Sources say the greedy tendencies of the council chairman may turn out to be his greatest undoing in the battle with his deputy as there are threats of reporting the embattled chairman to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over financial misconduct.

 

YAYI FELICITATES GOV AIYEDITIWA, OGUN LG CHAIRMEN ON VICTORIES

Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West ), the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations has felicitated with the governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyeditiwa on his resounding re-election victory in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election. 

In a press statements signed by the Media Adviser to the lawmaker,  Kayode Odunaro, the senator congratulated all the newly elected local government chairmen and councilors in Ogun State on their victories adding that the triumph of All Progressives Congress (APC) is another indication of the peoples support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Senator Adeola who participated in the grand finale campaign of Governor Aiyeditiwa and also voted in the Ogun State LGA election said that the victories of APC in these weekend elections are indicative that many Nigerians appreciated the reformist agenda of President Tinubu and APC adding that the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda are  already manifesting and will soon be generalized to the masses.

Senator Adeola urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to continue with the progressive agenda of the APC in the state adding that his victory is a vote for all his accomplishments in the last 10 months and the erstwhile administration of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Senator Adeola urges all the newly elected leaders at the local government areas in Ogun state to cooperate with the state government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun adding that he will continue to ensure that APC delivers tangible dividends of democracy for the people.

 DRAMA AT ISOLO THRONE HEARING AS PROSECUTION CAME TO COURT WITHOUT CASE FILE

Tuesday 12th November 2024, Court 24 of the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court again hosted an unprecedented large crowd as Isolo Throne case was billed for hearing.

Supporters of both parties had started arriving the court premises as early as 8 a.m. in anticipation of the opening of the fresh suit challenging the nomination of Prince Jimmy Adetokunbo Yekini-Goloba as the Osolo-elect by Prince Saheed Ishola Aregbesola (a.k.a SA 400).Other applicants in the suit are Chief Taoridi Faronbi (Alado), Chief Rasak Akinsanya Alabe, Alhaji Wasiu Awofe Aregbe Alabe and Mr. Tajudeen Omolade Alabe for themselves and on behalf of Alagbeji Ruling Family of Isolo.

At exactly 10:30 a.m. when appearances were announced, the prosecution counsel, Barr. M.B. Jimoh-Akogun was conspicuously absent even though his colleague, Barr. A.O. Usman informed the court Jimoh-Akogun would be joining proceedings later claiming he was held up somewhere on another court matter.

As soon as the defence counsels announced their appearances starting with Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun (SAN), Barr. Jimoh-Akogun scampered into the court premises much to the consternation of the. court audience.

As if that was not enough surprise, they were left completely bewildered when the prosecution counsel claimed he thought the case was listed for 11 a.m. rather than earlier. This excuse drew the ire of the presiding judge, Justice M.A. Savage who drew the attention of Prof. Fagbohun to know if the matter was truly billed for 11 a.m. as claimed by the prosecution counsel. 

But Prof. Fagbohun could not affirm this claim as cases involving Senior Advocates of Nigeria are usually heard before other cases as a mark of respect to the legal luminaries. Barr. Jimoh-Akogun nevertheless apologized for his lateness.

Interestingly, more drama ensued when Justice Savage eventually signalled the kick-off of proceedings. Surprisingly and quite unexpected, the prosecution counsel said he could not start his arguments because he had left the case file in his car at another court much to the consternation of the judge, defence counsels and the entire court room. The judge asked the prosecution if they would request for a 30 minutes break for them to produce the case file so that the case could begin but that opportunity was thwarted as the prosecution could not make any commitment on that regards.

The presiding judge then turned to Prof. Fagbohun to know if he was ready to proceed. The senior lawyer affirmed his readiness, claiming he had filed his responses to the prosecution's application which Barr. Jimoh-Akogun claimed to have received hitherto that of the 7th Defendant's counsel.

With no significant signs of readiness from the prosecution, Judge Savage requested both parties to agree on a date for adjournment. The matter was, however, adjourned to 11th of December 2024.

However, the prosecution counsel pleaded with the presiding judge to allow status-quo to remain, a request which was dismissed by the judge, having earlier vacated the interim injunction placed on the defendants in his ruling on 28th October 2028.