A heated battle has erupted between Rotimi Makinde, a former House of Representatives member from Ife Federal Constituency in Osun State, and Victor Mark, the CEO of Ojulowo Omoluabi Empire Holdings Limited, over the misappropriation of a N90 million contract fund.
According to reports, Mark’s company was awarded a contract to construct a radio station at the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu in Yobe State. Makinde, who is a member of the polytechnic’s governing council, played a significant role in the award of the project to Ojulowo Omoluabi Empire Holdings in April 2023.
However, Makinde has accused Mark of absconding to the United Kingdom with the project fund. In response, Mark alleges that Makinde embezzled N27.9 million of the money allocated for the completion of the project and demands its immediate return.
Makinde took to his Facebook page to expose the contractor’s alleged wrongdoings and questioned Mark’s integrity. He also warned Mark that he cannot hide forever and must make peace.
In a swift rejoinder, the company, through a statement signed by its Executive Director of Operations, Josephine Amadi, has instructed Makinde to refund the sum of N27,930,000 that he received without fulfilling his obligations. Furthermore, the company has given him a 48-hour ultimatum or else face legal consequences, claiming to possess evidence of the money transfer.
The statement accuses Makinde of abandoning the project, threatening the company’s chairman, and attempting to discredit him on social media platforms. It asserts that Makinde’s actions will not absolve him of his fraudulent activities, as documented evidence of the fund transfer is available.
While the company refuses to engage in a battle of words, it warns Makinde that he will be held accountable for his actions. It emphasizes that transfers made by banks are traceable and that legal action can be taken from anywhere in the world.
The statement concludes by stating that a detailed account of the transaction will be released in due course.
This bitter dispute over the N90 million Damaturu Poly project fund highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability in contract execution. As both parties trade accusations, it is hoped that a fair and just resolution will be reached.
