Like the Chinese firms, I was also Amosun’s victim — Pat Utomu

Professor Pat Utomi has narrated how the former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, left him with a debt like he did the Chinese firm Zhongshan, which led to the seizure of the three Nigerian presidential jets in France after a court order.

Utomi, in a post on his X handle on Sunday, said Amosun failed to honour a contractual agreement he had with the previous state government, similar to how he treated the Chinese firm.

The renowned economist lamented that despite meeting Amosun on two occasions, nothing came of it; rather, he was left with a debt.

“So it was Gov Amosun’s violation of contract terms signed by his predecessor that brought the shame to the seizure of jets from the Presidential fleet. I hope he is happy with his achievement,” Utomi wrote.

“The whole matter is Khama at work. The Chinese were not the only victims. One prominent Ogun indigene allegedly committed suicide due to similar Amosun actions. I too was a victim. I had leased OPIC land in Lagos in a BOT agreement under Gov Daniel.

“Amosun stopped all such agreements upon being sworn in. I called him. He said he did not see my name on the list. I went to Abeokuta and he called in Yewandw Amusan, who said mine was a straightforward deal they did not include.

“He asked that all be included but mine be quickly sorted. That began a rigmarole that went on for years. I made another trip to Abeokuta. He drove me back to Lagos in his car, with my driver trailing along with the escorts and sirens.

“He had earlier asked that I make a request for a refund of what I had paid, even though my South African partners and I had invested 200 million in addition to the lease amount at the time. With just the two of us in the car, he advised I make a claim for 100 million and write for additional payments the day after I cash the cheque.

“It was surreal, but if I got nothing more, it would be better than being in court until we both retire. I took the case to APC leader BAT and Baba Akande. No result. Took it to Dapo Abiodun when he took over. Nothing came of it. If this happened to a friend, I wondered what enemies were going through.”

Utomi said he lost his South African partners, who owned a successful regional chain across Southern Africa and Asia, and had to pay off the loans.

“They took it and all are shamed. My new book *Power Policy Politics and Performance* documents a similar case study in Enugu involving SA investors as the gubernatorial batons changed hands. When shall we learn? Values shape human progress.”