“Adeolu Adeboye Abandons Kaduna Project After Receiving N8 Billion, Seeks Court Protection from Investigation”
Byline: August 30, 2024, By Okafor Joseph Afam
According to SaharaReporters we learned that Adeolu Adeboye, son of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and his wife are evading accountability for more than N8 billion in funds linked to an unfinished project in Kaduna. The couple secured the contract through Ronchess Global Resources Plc during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Despite receiving over N8 billion from the Kaduna State Government, the project was abandoned after just 30% completion. Adeolu and his wife, who managed the contract through Ronchess Global Resources Plc, are accused of diverting funds and leaving the project incomplete.
Amidst the Kaduna State Government and House of Assembly’s probe into the alleged fraud, Adeolu filed a lawsuit (FHC/L/CS/1206/24) at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking an injunction to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna State Government, and House of Assembly from arresting or detaining him in connection with the abandoned N17.26 billion project.
The investigation revolves around an 8km road in Zaria. Although N8.19 billion had been paid for the project, only 30% of the work was completed before it was abandoned. The contract, initially valued at N8.74 billion, was revised to N17.26 billion in December 2022, with a completion deadline set for January 2, 2021.
In response to the ongoing probe, Adeolu sought an interim order to restrain the EFCC and other respondents from arresting him or compelling his attendance at further meetings regarding the project. Justice K.O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted the interim order, pending the hearing and final determination of Adeolu’s Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
However, in a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC, sworn by a staff member, Mohammed Arabo, on August 14, 2024, at the Federal High Court Registry in Ikoyi, the EFCC uncovered evidence of fraud and criminal diversion of public funds involving Adeolu Adeboye and 26 other contractors. The EFCC’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), argued that the allegations of fundamental rights violations were not the principal claims and questioned the jurisdiction of the high court to hear the case.
The case is scheduled to continue on September 20, 2024, as both parties prepare to present their arguments in court.
