President Bola Tinubu administration don award two Ogun deep seaport contracts worth billions of dollars to DP World, one Dubai shipping company wey dem mention inside paedophile Jeffrey Epstein files and wey link to longtime Lebanese ally Gilbert Chagoury.
Ogun governor media aide, Kayode Akinmade, release statement on Thursday say representatives of Ogun State and DP World sign MoUs for the projects. The projects na Gateway Deep Sea Port and Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
Tinubu tok say, ‘We are doing more than signing agreements; we are laying the foundation for a new chapter in Nigeria‘s development.’ He note say the Ogun seaport go decongest Lagos port and reduce delays.
Chagoury, wey dem convict and once ban from U.S. over corruption scandals, arrange meeting between DP World then-CEO Sultan bin Sulayem, Tinubu and Minister of Maritime and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola in February 2025.
The trio meet on February 26, 2025. Na there dem hatch plans for the Ogun State deep seaport deals, wey dem project say go attract more than $7 billion investment and create at least 50,000 jobs.
But the plan bin believe say e hit snag after Sulayem unplanned resignation as CEO at DP World over the Epstein files in February. Sulayem recommend say the paedophile try one Japanese spa massage where special masseuses dey offer sexual services, including things like ‘face sitting’ and ‘ejaculation by hand massage’.
The blowback cause entities like British International Investment and Canada‘s La Caisse to cut ties with DP World. Dem hound the Dubai company to ‘shed light’ on Mr Sulayem relationship with the notorious sex offender ‘and take the necessary action’.
But while other international firms dey cut off ties with DP World, Nigeria appear to dey solidify business relations with the Dubai-based company. That na wetin lead to the MoU signing on Thursday.
Mr Chagoury, 79, despite his sordid conviction record, still dey enjoy unfettered access to Mr Tinubu while e dey corner trillion-naira-worth of lucrative deals from the administration. Often, e dey skip bidding phase.
Chagoury Hi-Tech company collect $11 billion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project in 2024. Despite lacking seaport construction experience, ITB Construction Nigeria Limited, one subsidiary of Chagoury Group, collect N1.1 trillion to refurbish two major Lagos seaports, Tin Can and Apapa.
Chagoury, one Nigerian-Lebanese business mogul wey move Sani Abacha billion-dollar loot and become target of American authorities for bribing politicians and financing suspected terrorists, dey enjoy different reality for Nigeria. His longtime friendship with Tinubu continue to yield profitable deals, with him companies being spoon-fed juicy contracts without bidding.
Dem confer Chagoury with national award of Grand Commander of the Niger in January.
