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N5.5bn debt: Drama as billionaire businessman Otudeko testifies

N5.5bn debt: Drama as billionaire businessman Otudeko testifies

 

There was mild drama at the Federal High Court in Lagos Thursday as chairman of Honeywell Group Dr Oba Otudeko escaped arrest by responding to summons to testify in his companies’ N5.5billion debt suit against Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

Sporting his trademark Yoruba attire, Otudeko and his aides tried to prevent journalists from taking his photographs and videoing him as he left the court.

There was also mild drama inside the courtroom as plaintiff’s counsel Olabode Olanipekun and Ecobank’s lawyer Divine Obinna Agbua repeatedly clashed.

There were arguments between the lawyers on whether he could be examined, cross-examined and re-examined on his statement on oath.

A scuffle broke out between some of Otudeko’s aides and journalists covering the proceedings.

As his aides walked beside him out of the courtroom, they beat a quick retreat to the back of the building on sighting a TV camera.

Otudeko tried to escape through the back gate but the camera man was ahead of them.

The Honeywell chief and his group stood at a safe distance from the camera, but the TV reporter and cameraman stood at both exit points of the court premises. The move left Otudeko and his aides plotting the best means of escape.

Some of the business mogul’s aides confronted the cameraman, asking him: “Why are you doing this?” while shielding their boss.

There was a mild scrap when one of the aides tried to force the cameraman to stop recording the scene.

Otudeko succeeded in leaving the court at about 11.40am in-between his aides who shielded him from the cameraman.

On Wednesday, Agbua had told Justice Mohammed Idris that Otudeko ignored a court summons, which Otudeko denied.

He said while in the witness box Thursday: “This is a first experience, and I am extremely delighted to be here to see all professionals in practice. I was away from Lagos, and only got a call from my officers who informed me of the position, and I came back yesterday (Wednesday).

“I have great respect for the institution of the court, and so I have deposed to my witness statement and have filed it.”

Agbua asked Otudeko to tell the court his names, occupation and address. The witness replied: “My name is Dr Oba Otudeko. I am a businessman. My place of business is at No 6, Mekuwen St. Ikoyi Lagos.”

When asked about his professional qualification, Olanipekun objected, saying the proper practice was for the defence to lead the witness to adopt his written deposition.

He added that the defence could not embark on a journey of questions, adding that after adoption, the plaintiff counsel was entitled to cross examine the witness.

Agbua argued that the witness was a subpoened one, and so he was entitled to lead his witness in evidence without hindrance.

“The witness in question is our witness. The question I put to the witness being an introductory question is allowed under the law, where he lives, works, his qualifications. To that extent, I submit that the objection to my line of questioning is preemptory,” he said.

Justice Idris ruled overruled Agbua and held that the witness could only be led to adopt his witness statement.

Agbua then declined to lead the witness to adopt his statement.

During cross examination, Olanipekun asked the witness to tell the court: “Whether the then Managing Director of Ecobank was in attendance at the plaintiff’s office on July 23, 2013, when it was agreed that N3.5billion will be full and final settlement of the plaintiff’s debt.”

Before the witness could respond, Agbua objected, arguing that since the witness’ statement was not before the court, he could not be made to answer questions on it.

“We have gotten what we want and we do not want to lead the witness anymore. We hereby apply for his discharge,” Agbua said.

Olanipekun made repeated efforts to cross-examine Otudeko, but Agbua continued to insist that a witness whose statement was not adopted in court could not be cross examined.

Justice Idris adjourned until February 14.

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Tinubu returns from Paris today, Says Onanuga

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President Bola Tinubu is set to return to Nigeria today after spending close to two weeks abroad, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed.

Onanuga, in a brief post on X, wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.”

The Presidency had earlier assured Nigerians that despite the President’s stay overseas, he remained fully engaged with national governance.

In a statement last Thursday, Onanuga explained: “The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”

He further emphasised that Tinubu’s absence was temporary and “in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks,” with his return scheduled for April 21, following the Easter holidays.

“The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership.

“We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption,” the statement added.

Tinubu had departed for Paris on April 2, 2025, for what the Presidency described as a two-week working visit. According to Onanuga, the trip was intended to “appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.”

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Opeifa request for the state government to assist the Railway Police and Otti, thanks Tinubu for picking the best material to rewrite Nigeria Railway history

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Gov. Otti describes Opeifa as a thorough-bred professional ready to rewrite Nigeria Railway history
Lauds President Tinubu for picking the best material to reposition Nigeria’s oldest corporation

A deserving commendation came the way of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, as the Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, described him as an exceptional professional, most suitable to lead the Nigeria’s oldest surviving public corporation.

Governor Otti spoke on Wednesday, at the Government House in Abia State, during a business visit by the MD/CEO of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, as part of his familiarization tour of the Eastern District of the Corporation.

According to Governor Otti: “I have had so many engagements with past leaders of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, you are clearly different and knows the job”. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Opeifa to lead the Nigerian Railway Corporation, expressing assurance at his ability to deliver.

He thanked the MD/CEO for promising to synergize with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and the State Government to see that the transformation of the transportation system in Umuahia is achieved. According to the Governor, “Umuahia Bus terminal is progressing rapidly and we felt that it is important to replicate what we have in Paignton, United Kingdom in Umuahia, by linking the train station with the Terminal to enhance intermodal transportation services.

The Governor stated that he was very happy to see that the MD/CEO is committed to taking the track from Aba to Enugu and even beyond. He recalled, with nostalgia how the train had served the people of the state and regretted the downward trends of rain services across the entire South East.

On the MD/CEO’s request for the state government to assist the Railway Police in the state, Governor Otti promised that his government will provide mobility for Aba Railway Police.

He added that the state government is always ready to support the Federal Government institutions as users of such federal institutions are people of the state, adding that his administration cannot differentiate between federal and state government workers.

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Airlin Advocacy Commissions Jos Office, Targets 7m Members By Next Elections,Says Mohammed Gamawa

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During the inauguration ceremony, the National Chairman of Airlin, Mohammed Gamawa, delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to educating Nigerians on their civic rights and responsibilities.

According to Gamawa, Airlin aims to bridge the gap between citizens and the principles of the rule of law by fostering a society where people understand not only their rights but also what is expected of them by the country.

“Our goal is to foster interaction among Nigerians, promote respect for the rule of law, and ensure citizens know their rights and civic responsibilities — such as voting to elect future leaders not based on materialism but based on integrity and competence,” Gamawa stated.

He added that understanding and exercising one’s franchise, especially during elections, must go hand in hand with being law-abiding and fully aware of civil responsibilities.

As part of its mission, Airlin is currently targeting 19 states in Northern Nigeria, with Jos becoming the 15th state to be commissioned.

The ceremony also featured the appointment of state and local government coordinators who will help drive the organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts.

With a current membership base of 2.1 million Nigerians aged 18 and above, Airlin projects a significant growth trajectory, aiming to reach 7 million members before the next general elections.

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