The family of late MKO Abiola, is currently embroiled in crisis following alleged fraud in one of his oil assets, Summit Oil Company Ltd.
Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria. The election was however annuled by the military junta headed by General Ibrahim Babangida.
Abiola died in detention trying to reclaim the mandate given to him by the Nigerian people.
Since his death, there has been no love lost among his children with the children of Abiola’s first wife, Simbiat, led by his eldest son, Kola, always in the eyes of the storm.
The latest issue now is the story that Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Ltd is approaching the company for unspecified business transaction. The company has done business with the Kola-led Abiola children in the past allegedly under false representation by Wura and Kola.
Therefore, it was not a surprise when they indicated interest on resuming business activities with the group again.
The latest attempt by Halliburton Energy to revive business transaction with Summit has incurred the anger of four children of late MKO Abiola: Olalekan, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Abdul Mumuni and Kafila Abiola and they have responded by writing to Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Ltd to terminate any business deal with Summit Oil Company Ltd or face legal action.
The four Abiola children are accusing Kola and Wuraola of perpetrating financial crimes and have gone ahead to file a formal complaint against them in the Office of the Inspector General of Police.
They followed it up with a letter titled, “Urgent Warning to Halliburton and Anchor Point to Cease and Desist: Avoid Collusion with Fraudulent Management of Summit Oil Company Ltd”, and addressed to the Managing Director CEO Halliburton Energy Services Nigeria Ltd.
In the letter, they introduced themselves as heirs and members of the family of the Late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and was writing to express their deep concern regarding Haliburton’s recent agreement with Summit Oil Company Ltd.
The letter reads in part, “As you may be aware, Summit Oil Company, being a legacy company formed by our late father, is currently embroiled in a serious legal dispute involving allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds by two members of the Abiola family, Kola Abiola and Wuraola Abiola.
“It has come to our attention that your company has entered into a partnership with Summit Oil, under the management of these two fraudulent persons, to re-enter and work the Oil Well to bring it back to production.
“We believe that such decision of yours is fraught with significant risks and could have serious legal consequences for your company.
“By entering into that agreement, your company may be inadvertently aiding and abetting a fraudulent scheme.
“When it is later determined that Kola Abiola and Wuraola Abiola have indeed misappropriated funds from Summit Oil Company, your company could face criminal charges for conspiracy and other related offences of aiding and abetting crime.”
