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Reactions have continued to trail a recent report linking Pastor Adeolu Adeboye, the son of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to a project awarded by the Kaduna State Government to Ronchess Global Resources Plc.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Adeolu was reported to have allegedly secured the contract through Ronchess Global Resources Plc and received over ₦8 billion from the Kaduna State Government for a road construction project, but left it unfinished.
According to Sahara Reporters, the G.O.’s son, who is said to run the company alongside his wife, 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), the Kaduna State Government, and the House of Assembly from arresting or detaining him.
TNG understands that the Kaduna State Government and the House of Assembly initiated an investigation into the alleged fraud after a team from the Kaduna State House of Assembly inspected the project site on the Wusasa to Danmagaji Nagoyi Road in the Kaduna North Local Government Area.
The project was awarded on September 15, 2020, with a completion date of January 2, 2021. Following inspection, it was discovered that Ronchess Global Resources Plc had abandoned the site despite receiving ₦8,195,014,236.95 for the project with only 30% completion.
To avoid the investigation, Adeolu Adeboye reportedly sought an interim order to stop the EFCC, the Kaduna State Government, and other authorities from taking further action against him.
Granting the interim order, Justice K.O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court restrained the respondents from pursuing any steps related to the project until the court hears and determines the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
In a counter-affidavit sworn by Mohammed Arabo on August 14, 2024, the EFCC stated that evidence of fraud and criminal diversion of public funds had been found against Adeolu and 26 other contractors. The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Ronchess Global Resources Plc had collected ₦8,185,014,328.95 while only 30% of the project was completed.
The EFCC’s legal team, led by Femi Falana (SAN), is challenging Adeolu’s use of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, arguing that the claim does not primarily seek to enforce fundamental rights but rather to address ancillary grievances.
Falana argued that the question to be “resolved is whether the applicant’s claim falls within the type that is enforceable as an infraction of fundamental right.”
The EFCC’s counsel argued further: “The position of the law is that for a claim to qualify as falling under fundamental rights, it must be clear that the principal relief sought is for the enforcement or for securing the enforcement of a fundamental right and not, from the nature of the claim, to redress a grievance that is ancillary to the principal relief which itself is not ipso facto a claim for the enforcement of fundamental right.”
Falana noted that “significantly, the claim of any breach is not like a magic wand which can be waved in the face of every claim and turn on the engine of enforcement of a right that may not be constitutional.“
The case has been adjourned for further proceedings on September 20, 2024.
How Nigerians reacted:
greggnwoko9937 wrote: “The most successful industries in Nigeria today are politics and religion and Nigerians are their commodity!”
Another user, a.i.chin wrote: “It’s interesting how I’ve not found one comment defending the suspect(s). We are getting wiser slowly.”
uncle_koke wrote: “I Dey pity people wey dey believe all these pastors.”
happybillionairess wrote: “The same Kaduna where Christians have been massacred for decades. They don’t care about you; they only care about their pockets. Know God for yourself.”
Danny wrote: “Look at the people telling you the country’s problem is spiritual. Pray harder while they rake in billions.”
Ndi Kato wrote: “Turns out part of the spiritual problem is in Daddy G.O.’s house.”