Pat Utomi: Seizure of Presidential Jets is 'Karma' for Contract Violations by Former Ogun Governor Amosun

 

Political economist and professor, Pat Utomi, has weighed in on the recent seizure of Nigerian presidential jets by a French court, attributing the incident to what he describes as "karma at work." According to Utomi, the seizure, which stems from a contractual dispute between the Ogun State Government and a Chinese firm, is a consequence of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun's violation of contract terms established by his predecessor.

Background: Contract Violations and Seized Jets

In a series of posts on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Professor Utomi recounted his own experience with what he views as Amosun's disregard for contractual agreements. Utomi revealed that during the administration of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, he had entered into a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement to lease land from the Ogun State Property & Investment Corporation (OPIC) in Lagos. However, upon taking office, Governor Amosun abruptly halted the contract, along with several others.

Utomi suggested that this pattern of behavior ultimately led to the current international embarrassment, where a Chinese company, Zhongshan Fucheng Industrial Investment Co. Limited, successfully secured a court order in France to seize three Nigerian presidential jets. The jets, valued at over $100 million, were impounded as part of a compensation claim related to a terminated contract in the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.

Utomi’s Experience: A Personal Account of Contractual Injustice

Reflecting on his own ordeal, Utomi described how Amosun's administration disregarded the BOT agreement he had with the previous government. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, including a direct conversation with Amosun, the situation remained unresolved for years.

Utomi recounted, "I had leased OPIC land in Lagos in a BOT agreement under Governor Daniel. When Amosun took office, he stopped all such agreements. I reached out to him, and he claimed not to have seen my name on the list of contracts. Even after I went to Abeokuta to address the matter, it dragged on for years without resolution."

He further highlighted the broader impact of Amosun's actions, stating that the Chinese company was not the only victim of these violations. Utomi mentioned that a prominent Ogun indigene allegedly took his own life after experiencing similar treatment under Amosun's administration.

The Seizure: A National Embarrassment

The seizure of the presidential jets has sparked widespread outrage and criticism, with many stakeholders blaming the Nigerian government's negligence and failure to honor international agreements. The incident has been described as a "national disgrace" and a reflection of deeper issues within the Nigerian legal and governance systems.

Utomi's commentary adds another layer to the ongoing debate, suggesting that the current situation is a form of karmic retribution for past injustices. "I hope Amosun is happy with his achievement," Utomi remarked, emphasizing the long-term consequences of breaking legal agreements and the impact it has had on Nigeria's reputation on the global stage.

Stay updated with Naija Newshawk for more in-depth analysis and coverage on this developing story and its implications for governance and international relations in Nigeria.