Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Rotimi Makinde is engulfed in a N90 million contract fund mess.
The former lawmaker from Ife Federal Constituency of Osun State is now at war with Ojulowo Omoluabi Empire Holdings Limited boss, Victor Mark over N90 million contract money.
Sources squealed to us that Ojulowo Omoluabi Empire Holdings Limited was awarded a contract to construct a radio station at the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu in Yobe State with the help of Makinde, who is a member of the polytechnic’s governing council.
According to our sources the project was awarded in April, 2023.
However, event took a twist after Rotimi Makinde, took to social media to call out the contractor, accusing him of relocating to the United Kingdom with the project money.
But, in a statement signed by the Executive Director of Operations, Ojulowo Omoluabi Empire Holdings Limited, Josephine Amadi, she said; “It is pertinent to state that Rotimi Makinde requested the transfer of funds to the tune of N27,930,000 only for the purpose of the construction and furnishing of the project in Damaturu, Yobe State and has acknowledged the receipt of these funds.”
“Rather than deliver on his side of the contract, Rotimi Makinde has abandoned the job and began to threaten the life of the Group Chairman of the company, while flaunting his affiliation with the ruling party as reason why he is untouchable and has the abilities to make good his threats without being held accountable.”
“The company has had to look for alternative means of fund as it is its name on the contract in other to pursue the project and deliver.”
“During this time, amicable resolution, diplomacy and passionate appeals have been made.”
“Rather than be honourable, Rotimi Makinde has shown himself to be a dishonourable and wicked blackmailer who threatens to let the world loose should our Chairman go public with the evidence.”
“He did not stop at that but also started to contact friends and mutual partners to discredit our Chairman and put forth lies on Facebook.”
“He has posted pictures of our Chairman with terrible captions on his page as well as on those of a callous blogger, with the aim of threatening him to silence.”
“At the early stage, the blogger was approached with proof and he deleted his previous post and apologised to our Chairman (evidence of post and apology also exist.”
“However, it appears the blogger has now been paid enough to risk jail-term for his paymaster.”
“What Rotimi Makinde has forgotten is that threatening the life of our Chairman and posting his pictures with misleading and defamatory statements only adds to his already existing fraudulent acts which is punishable under the law, no matter how highly placed he thinks he is.”
“He has also forgotten that evidences with which he acknowledged receipt of these funds are available and would be tendered to the appropriate authorities in due course.”
“It might be necessary to remind him that transfers made by banks are traceable and undeniable and a search of the accounts that were credited will show the movement of funds by him.”
“The funds in question was transferred based on his request to two accounts (traceable with evidence) on 31st March, 2023 and 11th April, 2023 among others should be returned within 48hours or risk jail term.”
“While the chairman may have chosen the path of dignity and not engage in his ‘gorilla battle’ or risk his life like he said, important evidence of transfer has been kept and can be prosecuted through legal means from anywhere in the world.”
“While the Chairman shall not pursue the threat to life and defamation charges at this point to allow him an opportunity to refund first, Rotimi Makinde should not believe that he will get away with these crimes.”
“This is not a legal battle between individuals but among our company, him and the proxies.”
“While he will not get away with defamation, we are offering him an opportunity to make amends in order to repair his fraudulent charges first.”
“His political stature and affiliation to the ruling power will not stop him from jail when the facts are presented before a court of competent jurisdiction.”
“A follow-up statement that will distinctly explain the details of the transactions will be released in due time.”