By Jude Atupulazi
It is not often I write the kind of thing I’m writing now. But having followed the saga of a former Police Commissioner in Anambra State, Mr Aderemi Adeoye, since he retired, by those obviously trying to rubbish his attainments, I decided to weigh in with what I know, as well as to defend a man who went beyond the normal brief of policing to be part of the social and cultural life of the last state he served in.
Indeed, in the History of Policing in Anambra State, no police officer had won the hearts of the generality of the citizenry until a certain Mr Aderemi Adeoye came on board as the Commissioner of Police.
Before then he had been serving in the state in other capacities for close to a decade, and, perhaps, this factor equipped him with an insider knowledge of the state and its people. Thus, once he mounted the saddle as the state’s police chief, he had wasted no time in setting his priorities and attaining them. He did this job when the state was a theatre of war occasioned by the onslaught of criminals operating in the guise of Biafra agitators.
Adeoye was not one to bark orders from the rear. He was often in the forefront, leading by example and gingering his men. He was also lavish with praise and appreciation on deserving officers. He was a fine police officer loved by his men and the civilian population alike, giving a human face to the force.
He was a proactive police officer and often carried out security projects without asking for money from government. He was always giving the state government tips on how to make security better. His lines were available for people to call in times of distress. He was the friend of commercial transporters too and once held a get-together for them and their families
When it was time to leave, it was as if a governor was being sent off as various groups organized valedictory sessions for him, culminating in a grand pulling out ceremony at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
It was therefore, no surprise that his success drew the envy of those who probably want to be like him but just cannot.
Hear Mr Adeoye, “The renegade members we expelled for criminal conduct have started their campaign of blackmail again.
This time around, Punch Newspaper is their willing tool. They found a brown-envelope- loving journalist who had sold his conscience to the devil. It is basic ethic of journalism to always endeavour to hear from the other side before publication. Ethics are thrown to the dogs when palms have been greased. Shame on Punch Newspaper.
Our membership is over 1300. Those who went to court were those expelled for disruptive behaviour. They were issuing criminal threats against our officials. They made our space ungovernable and impaired profit making processes for benefit of our members.
“After expulsion, we set in motion the process of settling all their investments in the Cooperative but they spurned the offer to create the impression that they were scammed. Even before they instituted the suit, we had refunded to them, monies they invested in the Cooperative in accordance with cooperative law which stipulates that having received dividend annually, whenever they leave they would be entitled to collecting only the sum they invested.
“For those who invested in our loan scheme they were paid their sums with 10% interest.
“Those who paid cooperative dues were also refunded all their dues with 10% interest.
“All incomplete deposits paid for plots of land have also been refunded to them.
“They claimed that land they paid for has not been allocated to them. The truth is we contribute money to buy majority of our land as an entity and we buy for investment with a view to selling when price appreciates. We did not buy with a view to taking possession. It was Land Banking with various reputable developers. The few that we bought for the purpose of taking possession are in the process of allocation which will soon be concluded.
“We have held several meetings with developers in this regard.
“Notwithstanding all we had done to give them value, they went to court out of mischief because they are greedy for more and they wish to retaliate their expulsion by painting us black.
“They have waged months of blackmail campaign on social media but it never gained traction because many people know what I stand for and they know I will never defraud anyone or be a party to such.
“We just paid our members over N100m in dividends and bonus shares for the last financial year. That pain of missing out is what is fuelling the resurgence of their blackmail.
“Since they are already in court, why can they not allow the court to adjudicate instead of resorting to their old despicable antic of blackmail?
“The Crypto project we invested in failed but that notwithstanding, we have other investments in place specifically made to protect all members against losses. Everyone who invested in the project is protected against loss.”
He described as cheap, incoherent blackmail, the allegation that they registered a private business for himself and a few others.
“Those referred to are members of the Board of trustees of the Club. They represent the entire membership. The registered business name was to enable us open bank accounts prior to our registration as a cooperative. No other business is carried out under the name other than our investment endeavour in which every member is a participant.
“They lied to the world that we are Ponzi, yet they remained with us till we expelled them. Now, they want more money than they are entitled to. Does any Ponzi pay shishi?
“They said we would crash but we have waxed stronger and more profitable. Plots of land we bought at N750, 000 in Shimawa now sell for N20m. The ones we bought in Ibeju Lekki near Dangote Refinery for N10m per plot now sells for N100m. You cannot even get a plot there now. Yet we have never sold any of the plots we bought for our collective membership.
Three times their suit came up in court. We were all there. Not a single one of them showed up.
Very soon we will be selling on behalf of our members, individual plots purchased by them.
Creating value for our members is the reason for our existence and we shall continue to work day and night to serve them, Adeoye concluded.
Indeed, as the tough cop he is, this storm will blow and pass and in the end, as always, the truth will triumph.
