Alleged Fraud Saga: KWSG issues 3-month quit notice to Harmony Holdings’ mgt, board

By Mumini AbdulKareem

The Kwara State Government has issued a three-month quit notice to the board and management of Harmony Holdings Limited (HHL), National Pilot learnt last night.

The notice which was issued on Friday was a direct follow-up to the investigative committee set up by the government to look into the Kwara State House of Assembly’s report on HHL over alleged misappropriation of the state’s assets across the country.

The three weeks duration given to the committee by the state government to submit its report lapsed last week.

Although, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is presently outside the country, it was gathered that the latest decision of the government on the issue was taken shortly before he departed the shores of the country.

Towards this regards, a meeting was reportedly held yesterday by the management team of HHL to do a status report and deliberate on the procedures of how to handover the asset and liabilities of Harmony Holding to those they would hand over to.

A top government source who is in the know of the development but spoke strictly on anonymity because he was not authorised to officially speak to the press told this medium that the process of the handing over is expected to fully commence in the week ahead.

According to him, the “the Kwara State Government has issued a three months quit notice to the management and board of Harmony Holdings Limited after the duration of the three weeks it gave the investigative committee set up to look into the matter lapsed.

“The notice has been issued since Friday shortly before the Governor travelled out of the country but a follow up meeting was held today (Wednesday) by the Harmony Holdings’ management to do a status report. This will deliberate on the procedures of the smooth handing over of the asset and liabilities of the company.

“So, everything is now on track and hopefully by the end of next week, we should be looking at how far we have gone and what stage of the handing over process we have reached,” he added.

Following the report of the Kwara State House of Assembly ordering the immediate dissolution of the board and management of HHL on Tuesday 6th March, 2018 over alleged misappropriation of the state’s assets across the country, Governor Ahmed set up an investigative committee to look into the report.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold had confirmed the House receipt of the report in a telephone chat with this medium.

He added that the government is “already acting on it and would make a pronouncement soon” which would be done strictly in public interest and made available to the public at the end of the exercise.

Many of those said to be involved in the matter according to the House report acquired choice property and lands at high brow locations in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and Ilorin.

The lawmakers also noted that its six months findings showed that some of the property and lands were ridiculously undervalued and many others sold to self and cronies at outrageous prices.

The order was part of resolutions of the House adopted after the report of its Ad-hoc Committee on Allegations of Misappropriation Relating to Government Assets under the care of HHL chaired by House Leader, Hon Hassan Oyeleke.

Other members of the committee include, Hon Kamal Fagbemi, Hon AbdulRasheed Taiwo, Emmanuel Funsho Abodunrin, AbdulKadir Segilola, Victoria Bunmi Afolayan and Hon Ahmed Ibn Muhammed.

The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad while reading the resolutions of the House directed the Ministry of Justice to determine all monies paid into the personal account of its Executive Director, Mr Sanni Adebayo totalling N20 million market value of a land he acquired at Catchment Road, GRA Ilorin and another sum of N500,000 as rent due within 90 days.

Other resolution of the committee included; the appointment of a new board and management for the company and the immediate appoint an Administrator for HHL in line with provision of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to take charge of its property and accounts.

The current tenant of Tourist Kitchen, Ilorin was also directed to vacate the property within 21 working days while the Ministry of Justice should fine tune all legal technicalities and award the property to a new client.

Since the issue was first reported, professional bodies and resource persons in the state including NBA, NLC and Kwara Rebirth Ambassadors, among others have called for justice.