Adeolu Adeboye, the son of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, is at the center of a major controversy involving an unfinished road construction project in Kaduna State. Allegations have surfaced that Adeolu received over ₦8 billion for the project but failed to complete it, leaving the work at only 30% completion.
According to reports from Sahara Reporters, Adeolu and his wife secured the lucrative contract through their company, Ronchess Global Resources Plc, during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The project, initially valued at ₦8.74 billion and later revised to ₦17.26 billion, was meant to be completed by January 2, 2021. However, the project remains unfinished, sparking an investigation by the Kaduna State Government and the House of Assembly.
In response to the allegations and the ongoing investigation, Adeolu has taken legal action to protect himself. He 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.
The lawsuit names several respondents, including the EFCC, the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, the Kaduna State Government, and the Kaduna State House of Assembly. Adeolu is seeking an interim order to halt any further action by these authorities until his motion for an interlocutory injunction is heard.
Justice K.O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court has granted this interim order, temporarily restraining the respondents from taking any steps related to the investigation until the court makes a final decision on the matter.
The controversy deepened on May 16, 2024, when a team from the Kaduna State House of Assembly inspected the project site on the Wusasa to Danmagaji Nagoyi Road in Kaduna North Local Government Area. They discovered that the site had been abandoned by Ronchess Global Resources Plc, despite the company receiving ₦8,195,014,236.95 for the project. Only 30% of the work had been completed before operations were halted.
The EFCC, represented by a legal team led by Femi Falana (SAN), has contested Adeolu's legal strategy. In a counter-affidavit sworn by Mohammed Arabo on August 14, 2024, the EFCC claimed to have uncovered evidence of fraud and criminal diversion of public funds involving Adeolu and 26 other contractors. The EFCC argues that Adeolu's use of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules is a tactic to address grievances that do not fall under the category of fundamental rights.
Femi Falana further argued that the principal relief sought by Adeolu does not qualify as an enforcement of fundamental rights. He emphasized that not every claim can be transformed into a constitutional rights issue simply by invoking fundamental rights procedures.
The case is set to continue on September 20, 2024, when further proceedings will determine the next steps in this high-profile legal battle.
