In a revealing account from his autobiography, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba S.K. Adetona, has shed light on the tumultuous relationship between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and businessman Mike Adenuga.
According to Oba Adetona, the troubles began in 2006 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided Adenuga’s home in Lagos, arresting him. Oba Adetona states that he immediately dispatched top lawyers, including Ayanlaja SAN and Biodun Adesanya SAN, to secure Adenuga’s release, which was achieved later that day.
Oba Adetona claims that the EFCC’s actions were part of a larger campaign by Obasanjo to target Adenuga’s business partner, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as well as former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, both of whom were allegedly linked to Adenuga’s telecommunications company, Globacom.
The traditional ruler recounts how he facilitated a meeting between Adenuga and Obasanjo in France, where the former president expressed his displeasure with Adenuga, stating, “I have nothing against you, it is a matter of principle.” Oba Adetona said he later confronted Obasanjo about the EFCC’s harassment of Adenuga, warning that he would intervene if the agency did not back off.
While Adenuga remained in exile abroad, Oba Adetona said he continued to press Obasanjo to call off the EFCC, but the former president was unresponsive. It was not until after Obasanjo left office in 2007 that Adenuga was able to return home without further incident.
In his autobiography, the Awujale also criticizes Obasanjo’s overall performance as president, stating that he squandered the goodwill he enjoyed and failed to achieve tangible progress in areas such as electricity, corruption, and the rule of law.
