– Denied Allegation Of N10million Settlement, To Seek
Legal Action
– Apex Leader Pull Down Structure
Alhaji Sheriff Anipole led Ikorodu Local Government may be drawn into a legal battle over the redevelopment of Old Maternity site as Ibramod Nigeria Limited is threatening legal action over the re-award of the contract to Future Pride Consortium.
Ibramod Nigeria Limited has through its lawyer; Barrister Ganiu Lookman declared that the redevelopment and ongoing construction of the controversial Old Maternity site along Oriwu Road, opposite Post Office, Ikorodu is illegal and a breach of contract by the council.
If you will recall, The IMPACT in its March/April 2014 edition featured a detailed account of the controversial redevelopment of the Old Maternity and the bribery allegation. Few days after the publication, Future Pride Consortium Construction owned by Mr Joe Ighalo a.k.a Peejay moved into site to commence the redevelopment of the property in an elaborate ceremony graced by the HRM Oba (Dr) Salaudeen Afolabi Oyefusi (GCOI, OON) the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and his queen, Olori Muyibat Oyefusi and other chiefs.
Also, at the foundation were the Council Chairman, Alhaji Sheriff Anipole, members of his cabinet and some councilors.
Reacting to The IMPACT’s enquiry, Barrister declared the redevelopment as illegal and breach of contract. “In responding to the recent development regarding the redevelopment project of the Ikorodu old Maternity allegedly contracted to Future Pride, we wish to categorically state that it is an illegality, a breach of contract subsisting between IBRAMOD NIGERIA LIMITED and the Ikorodu Local Government. We are making necessary arrangement to take necessary legal steps to stop any further illegal acts being taken by Ikorodu Local Government and Future Pride regarding the redevelopment of the said site”.
He denied any agreement whatsoever among Ibramod, Ikorodu Local Government and Future Pride and further reinstated Ibramod’s readiness to challenge the alleged illegalities, “There is no agreement whatsoever among IBRAMOD, Ikorodu Local Government and Future pride regarding the recent development on the said site. Our next line of action is to take all necessary legal action against the Ikorodu LG and Future
Pride and stop whatever activity is going on there”.
It was reported in the March/April edition of The IMPACT that there is a subsisting agreement between Ikorodu Local Government and Ibramod Nigeria Limited signed over the redevelopment of 3128.31 square metres property with survey plan No. LS/D/KD/55 in 2010. The contract was to construct a 5-Star hotel with first three floors as car park, 2 cinema halls, 4 conference halls with 1000 and 15000 capacities, banquet hall, eateries, gymnasium/aerobic centre and swimming pool on the 13th floor with helipad on the last floor among other features. The cost of the signed contract is N14.5billion.
Ibramod has also denied collecting any monetary settlement as compensation from Ikorodu Local Government and Future Pride Consortium.
APEX LEADER PULL DOWN FUTURE PRIDE’S STRUCTURE, SAYS IT CONTRAVENED AGREEMENTS
The last may not have been heard about the redevelopment of Old Maternity Centre which is controversially awarded to Future Pride owned by Mr. Joe Ighalo against the earlier contract signed with Ibramod Nigeria Limited over the same property by Ikorodu Local Government under the leadership of Alhaji Sheriff Anipole.
Aside Ibramod which is threatening legal action, APC Apex leaders in Ikorodu too seems to be interested in the redevelopment of the property. The interests of the leaders this time around goes beyond just intervening as they have been doing, but this time around it is a practical one which sends strong signal to all those involved in the controversial award of the contract that they can bite.
On Tuesday 3rd June, 2014, major part of the structure was pulled down on the ground that it contravened the agreement reached by with the leadership. The action IMPACT also gathered was meant to send strong signal to Mr Joe Ighalo that he has everything to be fearful despite the strong backing he is receiving from a very powerful quarter in Ikorodu.
A source told IMPACT that against the agreement which made the leaders to allow Alhaji Anipole led council to award the contract to Future Pride, the company is said to be going against it. “The leadership allowed the contract award because they saw some merit in Future Pride’s proposal and not because of some powerful interests. The major point of the proposal was that it will serve as Central Car Park with other features. In actual fact, the car park will help decongest and help in the area of unregulated parking and the attendant traffic, but to our surprise, it discovered that structures are been built with very little space left”, says the source.
He added, “this give credence to some of the council political office holders opposed to the award of the contract to Future Pride that he wanted the place to accommodate its hospital
business and boutique and not for communal interest as claimed, thus we have to act quickly.”
A source within the council also informed IMPACT that the contract paper is shrouded in secrecy as nobody knows the content except those fronting and benefiting from the contract. It was also gathered that he cabal in the council may have signed 20years for Future Pride against seven or ten years proposed by Hon. Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo led faction.
From all indications, more drama over controversial redevelopment of Old Maternity Centre will be unfolding and IMPACT is watching keenly and follow and report duly.
