NewsKogi Assembly Seals Dangote Cement Factory

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…vigilante group invades factory, shoot seven workers

The Dangote Cement factory in Obajana, Kogi State, was on Wednesday sealed.

The Kogi State House of Assembly ordered the closure of the company over an ongoing acquisition controversy.

The locals had filed a petition against Aliko Dangote, the chairman of the cement factory. They alleged that no acquisition took place before the company was established.

Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information, explained thus: “Pursuant to the constitutional authorities of the Kogi State House of Assembly, and upon petition by the people of Kogi State, an investigation was carried out on the acquisition of Obajana Cement Company by Dangote Company.

“It was found that no valid acquisition took place, as Dangote could not show evidence of what was paid as consideration for the acquisition.

“The legislators invited the Chairman of the Company, Aliko Dangote, before the house for explanations but he failed to appear before the state assembly, giving excuses.

“The House of Assembly therefore ordered the closure of the company pending when they are able to present it with credible evidence of a valid acquisition.”

On hearing the news of the closure, jubilant youths thronged the company. They chased workers away, but were stopped by Kogi officials who promptly waded in to avoid damage.

However, the management of Dangote Group said that no fewer than seven of its staff were shot and several others injured during the invasion of the plant by armed men.

The statement from Dangote Group’s corporate communications department stated that most of the armed men were drawn from the state vigilante and hunters who have been working for the Kogi State government.

The vigilante group, according to the statement, was led by the state director-general of lands, Nasir Ochi; security adviser to the governor, Comrade Jerry Omodara (Rtd) and other top officials of Kogi State government.

The statement said they were there to enforce the order of the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

The state government has been having a running battle with the Dangote Cement Company over the acquisition of Obajana Cement and the state’s equity shares in Dangote Cement Limited.

By Ezinwanne Onwuka (Senior Reporter)

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