Seized presidential jets: How Governor Dapo Abiodun signed contracts, sold Nigeria to Chinese company for over $800,000

Following the controversy surrounding seizure of three Nigerian presidential jets by French authorities, governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has been accused of being brains behind the fraud.

In a viral video trending on social media platforms, one, Abisoye Oshodi, popularly known as ‘Balogun Eko’, urged Governor Abiodun to come clean on the issue surrounding the Nigerian assets seized by the Chinese firm.

The two former governors of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, have vowed to support the Federal Government’s efforts to recover the national assets seized by a French court

In 2007, the Ogun State Government entered into a joint venture agreement with Zhongshan and another company to create the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone Company.

But in the first half of 2016, the agreement between the parties broke down, leading to Zhongshan filing lawsuits in Nigerian federal and state courts to seek reinstatement of its contractual rights, which failed.

After taking the case before the French court, the company was awarded damages. The court prohibited Nigeria from moving or selling three presidential jets until the Chinese firm was paid the $74.5m awarded by the court.

The former governors, in separate statements, had described Zhongshan as a scammer, adding that there was no basis for the company’s claims to compensation.

However, Mr. Oshodi, in a video that is trending on social media, said the two politicians, Amosun and Gbenga Daniel, were trying to deceive Nigerians by covering the fraud perpetuated by Governor Dapo Abiodun

He said,” Both Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel are playing on the intelligence of Nigerians. What they said is far from the truth.

“I want governor Dapo Abiodun to come out and say the truth on the seizure of Nigerian assets. He knows much about it, and he must come clean about the issue.

“This is a national disgrace, and the governor must be brought to book. Dapo Abiodun was the chairman of the committee that signed the contract for the Chinese company.

“After the agreement between Ogun State and the Chinese company, Governor Dapo was collecting a sum of $400,000 subsequently from the Chinese company during and after the administration of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun

“He later asked both Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Amosun to offer him 350 million dollars each. Dapo Abiodun is a fraudster, and I am sure he would go to jail after his second term administration.

“Ever since he became the governor, he has not done meaningful projects that have a positive impact on the people of Ogun State.

“He is an ex-convict; Amosun is trying to cover the fraud perpetuated by Governor Dapo by saying they mistaken signed the agreement. This is a lie from the pit of hell.”

Our correspondent was unable talk to the Chief Press Secretary of the governor, Lekan Adeniran as he did not respond to calls and text messages.