The Nigeria police force has issued a wanted notice for three senior executives of Cabota Energy Services Limited over allegation including conspiracy
The Nigeria police force has issued a wanted notice for three senior executives of Cabota Energy Services Limited over allegation including conspiracy, terrorism, kidnapping, attempted assassination, and fraud.
The wanted individuals are managing director/CEO Akintayo Raymond Oluwaseyi, chairman Obisike Uche Charles, and executive director Fagite Babafemi Oladipo.
The notice, published in an official police gazette, originates from the inspector general of police monitoring unit at force headquarters, Abuja, and follows a federal high court of Abuja order in Charge No. CR: 3000X/IGP-SEC/MU/ABJ/T.2/VOL. 121/119.
Police allege the executives were involved in the theft of three new power-generating gas plants valued at over ₦3 billion, moving the equipment to undisclosed locations.
Authorities claim the suspects also orchestrated the kidnapping of a complainant and attempted his assassination to cover up the alleged fraud.
In response, the executives, through legal representatives J.S. Agada & Co., dismissed the allegations as false and threatened to sue the Nigeria Police for ₦10 billion if the gazette is not retracted.
Their lawyers described the notice as a flagrant contempt of court and demanded a public correction and apology.
The directors said the dispute is commercial in nature, arising from a lease agreement between Cabota energy and another company, and not a criminal matter.
They noted that several lawsuits related to the transaction are pending in the federal high courts in Lagos and Abuja and the high court of Kogi state, with court orders instructing all parties to maintain the status quo.
“It is deeply regrettable that, despite pending litigation and court orders, certain individuals have misled sections of the police into issuing this injurious notice,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the complainant, Viagem energy services ltd, insists the matter involves criminal conduct, not contractual disagreements.
Viagem energy claims that the suspects planned to kidnap and transport one of its representatives from Lagos to Abuja in an assassination attempt, which was foiled by security operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe airport.
Viagem energy emphasized that the matter is not a contractual dispute but involves theft, fraudulent sale of assets, kidnapping, and attempted assassination.
Authorities have said the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information on the whereabouts of the executives is urged to contact the inspector general of police monitoring unit.
