Former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has vigorously denied allegations made by prominent economist Pat Utomi, who accused Amosun’s administration of breaching a contract and causing substantial financial losses. Utomi likened his situation to that of a Chinese firm whose contract termination led to the seizure of Nigerian presidential jets, drawing attention to what he perceived as a significant injustice.
Amosun, however, dismissed these claims as baseless and accused Utomi of harboring an “entitlement mentality.” In a detailed statement, the former governor provided his perspective on the incident, arguing that Utomi’s proposed project was unsuitable for the specific property in Ogun State. Amosun went further to challenge Utomi’s assertions by offering a public inspection of the project site to assess the validity of the claims.
The controversy began when Utomi alleged that Amosun’s administration had unfairly terminated a contract, resulting in significant financial harm. Utomi claimed that his investment was jeopardized by the decision and suggested that the actions of the Ogun State government under Amosun mirrored other instances of contract breaches that have led to costly repercussions for the state. However, Amosun rejected these allegations, stating that Utomi’s project was not appropriate for the property in question and that his administration had acted in the best interests of the state.
Amosun detailed the sequence of events that led to the dispute. He explained that before he took office, the Ogun State House of Assembly had already passed a resolution that effectively blacklisted Utomi. Despite this, Amosun decided to reach out to Utomi out of curiosity, given Utomi’s reputation and the controversy surrounding him. Amosun stated that his decision to engage with Utomi was driven by a desire to understand the situation and determine whether there was a path forward that could benefit the state.
During their discussions, Utomi informed Amosun about an ongoing construction project on a property owned by Ogun State, located on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Road in Lagos State. According to Amosun, his administration conducted a thorough review of the project and determined that the location was inappropriate. The land in question was being used as a car park, making it unsuitable for the type of development Utomi had planned.
Amosun’s team suggested an alternative site for the project, but Utomi declined the offer, insisting that the original location provided better visibility for his venture. Despite this, Amosun’s administration conducted an in-house assessment of the construction work and concluded that the actual investment made by Utomi could not have exceeded N50 million. To address the situation amicably, Amosun offered a refund of N100 million, a figure he believed was more than fair. However, Utomi rejected this offer and demanded a larger sum of N200 million.
The former governor further accused Utomi of attempting to use his influence to pressure the government into meeting his demands. Amosun claimed that Utomi tried to sway him by offering an award through his organization, the Centre for Value in Leadership (CVL). Amosun recounted how he was initially skeptical of receiving such an award, given that he had only been in office for two years. Nevertheless, he attended the event out of courtesy but remained firm in his decision not to increase the refund beyond the N100 million initially offered.
As the dispute dragged on, Utomi reportedly began to complain to others, seeking to destroy Amosun’s reputation. In response, Amosun confronted Utomi, accusing him of having an entitlement mentality. The former governor alleged that Utomi had attempted to leverage his status to secure favorable treatment and that his persistent demands were unjustified.
Amosun also drew parallels between Utomi’s situation and that of Zhongfu International Investment FXE, a Chinese firm that had faced similar challenges in dealing with the Ogun State government. He argued that Utomi’s case, like Zhongfu’s, lacked any legal standing and that Utomi was merely trying to draw attention to himself by making baseless claims. Amosun expressed his disappointment in Utomi’s actions, stating that the economist was trying to position himself as a victim when, in reality, he had no legitimate grievances.
To settle the matter definitively, Amosun issued a public challenge, where he invited journalists and other interested parties to visit the construction site. He demanded they inspect the work done and determine whether Utomi’s claims of a N200 million investment were accurate. Amosun expressed confidence that the inspection revealed the true nature of the project and validated his administration’s actions.
Amosun maintained that his administration had acted with integrity and in the best interest of Ogun State. He insisted that his decisions were driven by a commitment to public service and that he had no regrets about the choices he made while in office. Amosun also stressed that he treated all matters of governance with fairness and transparency, regardless of the individuals involved.
The former governor concluded his statement by reaffirming his dedication to the people of Ogun State. He reiterated that he had served the state passionately and with a sense of duty, always putting the state’s interests first. Amosun expressed pride in his achievements as governor and stood by every decision he had made, including those that involved challenging influential figures like Pat Utomi.
