Adeolu Adeboye, the son of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, is at the center of a controversy involving an abandoned road project in Kaduna State. Adeolu, who secured the contract through his company, Ronchess Global Resources Plc, during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, received over N8 billion for the project. However, the project was abandoned after only 30% of the work was completed.
The road project, an 8km stretch from Wusasa to Danmagaji Nagoyi Road in Zaria, was initially contracted for N8.74 billion in September 2020. The contract sum was later revised to N17.26 billion in December 2022. Despite the large sum already paid, the work on the project halted, leaving the road unfinished.
Following concerns raised about the unfinished project, the Kaduna State Government and House of Assembly launched a probe into the matter, seeking accountability for the funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also became involved, investigating the alleged fraud and criminal diversion of public funds.
In response, Adeolu Adeboye, alongside his wife, who were involved in securing the contract, filed a lawsuit (FHC/L/CS/1206/24) at the Federal High Court in Lagos. In the suit, Adeolu sought an injunction to prevent the EFCC, Kaduna State Government, and House of Assembly from arresting or detaining him concerning the abandoned project.
The suit, which also includes the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), Kaduna State Government, and Kaduna State House of Assembly as respondents, aims to stop any further investigations or actions related to the contract.
During a site inspection by the Kaduna State House of Assembly team on May 16, 2024, it was observed that the project site had been abandoned. The inspectors reported that although N8.195 billion had been disbursed for the project, only 30% of the work had been completed.
The EFCC, in its counter-affidavit, supported by a sworn statement from Mohammed Arabo, a staff member of the anti-corruption agency, confirmed the findings of the investigation. Arabo’s affidavit stated that Adeolu’s company, Ronchess Global Resources Plc, had indeed abandoned the project despite receiving substantial payments. The EFCC, which had invited Adeolu and other contractors involved in similar cases for questioning, noted that Adeolu was among the contractors who sought judicial protection to avoid investigation.
Legal representatives for Adeolu Adeboye, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, and a team of lawyers, filed for an interim order to restrain the EFCC and other respondents from taking further steps in compelling Adeolu to attend meetings or face arrest. Justice K.O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted an interim order to this effect, pending the hearing and final determination of the case.
The EFCC’s legal team, led by Femi Falana (SAN), argued that the case should not fall under the purview of fundamental rights enforcement, as Adeolu’s claim was not centered on any breach of constitutional rights but rather on avoiding accountability for the abandoned project. Falana emphasized that the legal strategy employed by Adeolu’s team was a misuse of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules to evade justice.
The case has been adjourned to September 20, 2024, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by Adeolu Adeboye. In the meantime, the legal battle continues as the Kaduna State Government, House of Assembly, and EFCC seek to recover the diverted funds and ensure the completion of the road project.
