Group petitions IGP over alleged diversion of MKO Abiola’s properties

A group known as Transparency Network and Public Interest Initiative (TNPII) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to demand swift action on a petition filed by the Abiola Estate against Kola and Wuraola Zulikat Abiola, over family properties.

The petition alleged severe misconduct, including fraud, corruption, and unauthorised diversion of funds intended for the Abiola family.

The spokesman for the group, Dr. Ehizojie Emmanuel Anderson, expressed deep concern over the apparent inaction from the IGP’s office over the allegation raised by the Abiola estate, suggesting a troubling lack of commitment to combating corruption, particularly within the oil and gas sector.

The petition by four heirs of the late Chief Moshood Abiola and Kudirat Abiola, known collectively as KD 7, accuses Kola and Wura Abiola of misrepresenting themselves as directors of Summit Oil Company Limited, as they are alleged to have entered into multimillion-dollar transactions without the consent of other heirs, notably with Duport Midstream Company Limited.

The group further stated that Kola and Wuraola Zulikat Abiola need to be checked, noting that recent business transactions with Duport Midstream Company Limited involved the duo acting in their capacity as self-appointed Directors of Summit Oil Company Limited.

“They are running the business as a Joint Venture with SUNTERA, an Indian company with ties to the Indian Government.”

The group also decried “how this duo will further damage Nigeria’s image in the international community through their alleged fraudulent actions, which include misrepresentation and diverting funds intended for the Abiola Estate into their personal accounts, thereby implicating SUNTERA; these actions alone are sufficient to make foreign investors wary of investing in the country.”

Besides, other allegations raised by the petitioners included, “the sale of an Isolo property belonging to the Abiola Estate, valued at 12 billion naira, without the knowledge of other heirs.”

“Additionally, there are ongoing disputes regarding another property along Apapa – Oshodi expressway, where the duo is accused of negotiating sales with Starlink Global Ideal Ltd despite contested ownership claims.”

The group alleged that there is an “apparent bias in the IGP’s handling of related cases, notably the pursuit of a civil dispute between Summit Oil and Duport Midstream Company Limited as a criminal case while ignoring the criminal misrepresentation by Kola and Wuraola Zulikat Abiola.”

Anderson said, “based on the aforementioned, the Transparency Network and Public Interest Initiative hereby demand the following, the IGP must address the Abiola Estate’s petition against Kola and Wuraola Zulikat Abiola without delay.

“The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) should investigate the tax implications of multibillion-dollar transactions between Summit Oil and Duport Midstream Company Limited.

“The IGP should review all criminal allegations against Kola and Wuraola Zulikat Abiola.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other regulatory bodies should scrutinize allegations of illegal mining activities by the duo.

“Dr. Wuraola Zulikat Abiola should be prosecuted for perjury related to a false affidavit concerning her trusteeship in an Abiola Estate company.

“The Transparency Network and Public Interest Initiative emphasized the urgent need for transparency and accountability, calling on the IGP to uphold the law and protect the interests of all parties involved in this complex familial and corporate dispute.”