According to news, the Ijebu-high Chief who is no stranger to controversy is allegedly enmeshed in negative business practices, as information made available to media sources revealed that Otunba Osifeso who is the current President of the Association of Indigenous Contractors progressed “was once involved in the kind of business the likes of Chief Fred Ajuda and Ade Bendel were into...mmmm. However, unlike the duo, he was able to stop ‘hustling’ without being convicted of the alleged serious criminal offence.”
According to a source who craved anonymity, a page turned in the Lagos big boy’s life when he allegedly ditched advance free fraud, to become an Abuja portfolio contractor. This Source also revealed that his convenient marriage to pretty and highly connected popular Abuja night club owner (Excellencio), and London returnee, Tola Solomon, led to Otunba Osifeso’s fairy-tale rise in the Federal Capital Territory.
It was gathered that after years of playing madam at the notorious Excellencio, Tola reinvented herself as a fashionista, selling trendy ladies wears to prominent Abuja women and states first ladies.
Gist also has it that Lekai Construction Ltd rode on Tola’s influence to corner juicy construction contracts in Abuja. And things changed for the CEO (Otunba Osifeso) who was allegedly impoverished by the NDLEA and other security agencies in Lagos due to his involvement in controversial deals.
In 2012, his company reportedly won a N6.5billion road contract in the Federal Ministry of Works with alleged fake tax papers.
The ministry’s procurement department headed by Mrs. M B Orewa and the Works Minister, Mike Onolememem reportedly turned the blind eye on Lekai Constructing cheating after they allegedly received bribe.
The accusing source further alleged that Otunba Osifeso, raised the sum of $300,000 bribe (about N50M) which he allegedly gave the Works Minister from the proceeds of the right wing of his duplex located at Jabi Area of Abuja, which he reportedly sold to Sheriff Shagaya, son of First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan’s friend, Hajia Bola Shagaya.
Sheriff who once lost about N70m in an oil deal with ex-head of States, IBB’s son, Aminu Babangida is currently perfecting strategies to contest for Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency Seat in 2015 under the umbrella of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was also gathered that Otunba used part of the proceeds of his house sale to throw a lavish party for his late father at Ijebu in Ogun State on the 22nd of December 2012. Sources alleged that the Ijebu-high chief often adopts tricky plots to bamboozle government officials by hurrying them up to mobilize him without getting Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) from his bank. A contravention of the procurement act that mandates huge contracts such as his, to come with an APG issued by winning bidders’ banks.
The APG, a guarantee from the contractor’s bank accepting to bear the financial responsibility should the contractor fail to meet up, precedes mobilization payment. It also means the bank must monitor the project and ensure full compliance.
However, Works Minister, Mike Onolememem allegedly approved the sum of N800 million naira for Lekai Construction without carrying out due diligence. An under-performing firm; the company was said to be operating with forged documents.
Less than two months ago, he was conferred with the Special Recognition Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day for his contribution to the growth of the union. Many in the know claim this was a ploy to shut the mouth of the media and to water down bad press. When sources asked Otunba Osifeso about his company’s unethical practices on the phone, his argument was that Lekai Construction is not the only one into it. “Companies, which are owned by notable Nigerians are doing it, and nothing happened to them,” he allegedly argued.
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