Abeokuta, Ogun State – Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has reached out to the Federal Government seeking intervention in the ongoing dispute with Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. over the controversial Ogun Free Trade Zone.
The move comes as accusations of contract cancellations and alleged corruption have escalated between the current governor and his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun.
Multiple sources within the Ogun State government, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Governor Abiodun traveled to Abuja last Thursday to engage with federal officials regarding the seizure of three presidential jets by the Chinese firm. The jets were seized in Europe following a court order, stemming from the ongoing dispute with the Ogun government.
The controversy surrounding the Ogun FTZ has also drawn in Professor Pat Utomi, a renowned political economist, who claims he was also a victim of contract cancellations during Amosun’s tenure. Utomi, in a series of posts on X.com, detailed how he suffered financial hardship after Amosun allegedly revoked a contract he had with the state government.
Utomi’s claims directly link Amosun’s actions to the current jet seizure situation, arguing that the Chinese firm’s legal action is a direct consequence of Amosun’s decision to cancel contracts signed by his predecessor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
In response, Amosun vehemently denied Utomi’s allegations, accusing him of having an “entitlement mentality” and attempting to extort money from the state government. Amosun claimed that Utomi’s investment in a property deal was minimal and that he had offered a generous refund, which Utomi refused.
Amosun further alleged that Utomi had been blacklisted by the Ogun State House of Assembly for engaging in “shoddy deals” and that the current controversy was simply a case of “me too” opportunism.
Regarding the Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co., Amosun maintained that the cancellation of their contract was justified and followed proper legal procedures, resulting in favorable court judgments. He described the Chinese firm as an “impostor” and emphasized the need for equal application of the law regardless of status or influence.
The escalating dispute has raised concerns about the transparency and accountability of government actions in Ogun State. The involvement of the Federal Government and the public accusations exchanged between the two former governors have brought the issue to the forefront of public attention, highlighting the potential ramifications of contract disputes and the need for a fair and transparent resolution.
