Adeolu Adeboye, son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is at the center of a controversy involving the abandonment of a multi-billion-naira road project in Kaduna State.
Adeolu, along with his wife, received over N8 billion from the Kaduna State Government to execute a road project, which was only 30% completed before being abandoned.
The contract, awarded to Adeolu’s company, Ronchess Global Resources Plc, during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, involved the construction of an 8-kilometer road in Zaria. Despite receiving a significant portion of the funds, the project remains unfinished, raising serious concerns about the handling of public resources.
In response to mounting pressure and investigations by the Kaduna State Government and the House of Assembly into the alleged misappropriation of funds, Adeolu Adeboye has turned to the legal system. He filed a lawsuit (FHC/L/CS/1206/24) at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking to block any attempts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna State Government, or the House of Assembly to arrest or detain him.
The lawsuit names the EFCC, 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. Adeolu is seeking an interim order to prevent these authorities from compelling him to attend investigative meetings regarding the abandoned project.
The project in question, known as the Wusasa to Danmagaji Nagoyi Road project, was initially contracted at a sum of N8.74 billion, later revised to N17.26 billion, according to Sahara Reporters.
Although Ronchess Global Resources Plc received over N8 billion for the project, investigations reveal that the work was halted with only a third of it completed.
On May 16, 2024, a team from the Kaduna State House of Assembly visited the project site in Kaduna North Local Government Area and found it abandoned. This discovery prompted further inquiries into the financial dealings surrounding the project, culminating in a lawsuit by Adeolu to halt the probe.
Justice K.O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an interim order, restricting the respondents from taking further action pending the hearing of Adeolu’s motion for an interlocutory injunction. The court set a hearing date for September 20, 2024, to consider the motion.
In a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC, a staff member, Mohammed Arabo, outlined findings of fraud and criminal diversion of public funds by Adeolu and 26 other contractors. According to Arabo, Ronchess Global Resources Plc received more than N8 billion but failed to complete more than 30% of the assigned project.
Legal teams representing both sides are preparing for what could become a high-profile legal battle. The EFCC is represented by Femi Falana (SAN), Mrs. Funmi Falana (SAN), and Chukwuma Onwuemene Esq. Meanwhile, Adeolu Adeboye’s defense includes notable lawyers such as Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), Adedoyin Adesoji Esq., and Oluwatosin Adesioye Esq., among others.
Falana has criticized the misuse of fundamental rights claims as a shield against criminal investigations, arguing that such claims should not be used to obstruct the judicial process when the primary issue is alleged financial misconduct.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case highlights ongoing concerns about the accountability of public officials and the use of public funds, with implications for governance and the rule of law in Nigeria.
