Encomium
On Saturday, May 10, 2014, nemesis caught up with a group of alleged assassins, Ibrahim Lawal (27), Yomi Olanrewaju (25) and Emmanuel Adewale (25) who were allegedly sent by one Adebayo Orekoya, aka Bobby Ibadan, to cut short the dream of Lagos socialite and businessman, Victor Adelakun, otherwise known as Ade Lexus. But with the intelligence gathering by men of Lagos Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the evil intention of the bandits was foiled.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had an exclusive interview with Adelakun, CEO, ADVIC Motors, Agidingbi Road, Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, May 15, and he narrated how he was saved by God and much more.
First, we rejoice with you for being alive after a failed assassination attempt on your life?
Thank you my brother. It calls for celebration.
How did it all happen?
I just received a call from Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) commander, SP Abba Kyari that one of my friends sent some people to assassinate me and those people have been arrested. So, that’s all I was told. And when I got to SARS office, I told them I didn’t even know the guy that sent those boys to me.
I think I met him through a friend of mine about three years ago. I mean, the person that sent the assassins to me. His name is Adebayo Orekoya, otherwise known as Bobby Ibadan. I don’t know him closely.
But the public impression now is that you’re his business partner, what’s your reaction to this?
We’re not business partners at all. Just as I said, I met him about three years ago through a friend of mine, Folake Latinwo. We don’t have anything together at all. I don’t even know much about him.
Even with your explanation, people will still believe that both of you struck a deal and you failed to fulfill your own part, and that’s why he is after you…
(Cuts in) Nothing like that at all. I didn’t strike any business deal with Bobby Ibadan. That’s why it still remains a shock to me. It’s incredible that somebody can just wake up and decide to eliminate me, when there is nothing between both of us.
But what do you think could have informed that?
Left to me, I am still in the dark. I don’t know what could have been the reason until they arrest him, and he would state the reason he wants me killed. I don’t have anything in common with him. We don’t have any business together. I don’t even know what he does because we’re not close.
I am not his friend so, we don’t have the opportunity of doing anything together. Although, he was trying to make sure we’re close, I have tried to avoid that.
The police had performed wonderfully for saving you, what more do you expect from them?
I will be very happy if the culprit is arrested. When he is caught, I believe he will confess to the public what my offence is. I pray God will strengthen the police with all they need to carry out their duty.
What’s your advice to other businessmen on this kind of a situation?
They should just be very careful and prayerful. What has happened is a big lesson to everybody. It’s only God that can save not by anybody’s power. I believe God is on my side.
How would you assess the service of the police now?
For what they have done on this matter, I think I give them kudos. They performed wonderfully. They are doing a great work. They are very excellent and should be encouraged by both the government and the public.
When exactly did you start out as a motor dealer?
I started about 15 years back. Then, I partnered with some friends but about six years ago, I established mine.
And since then, you have never experienced anything like that?
At all. Who prays to experience assassination? Everybody knows I am a very quiet person. I always go about my legitimate business. But about three days ago, before the failed attempt, I believe there were some people that this guy sent to me in the office here to confirm whether my face is the same as the one in the picture.
One of them walked in and said he was looking for people to give him money to fix his car, he said his vehicle broke down but I told him we don’t have money for that. But could you believe this guy happened to be one of those arrested. He is also in SARS custody now, and he had confessed coming to my place that day to confirm that I am truly the person in the picture so that he won’t kill an innocent person.
They also confessed that they have collected N140,000 out of the N300,000 the guy agreed to pay them to assassinate me. They have spent N40,000 out of it, but the remaining N100,000 was found on them.
Don’t you think that with this incident now, you have to beef up security both at home and in your office to forestall further attempt like that?
Of course, there is need. But there has been no day, I have not put security on ground. But God is the greatest security of any man. What has happened now was just by the special grace of God. It wasn’t as if they were caught by my own security men. That particular day, I didn’t even go out.
Lest we forget, don’t you have any clash of interest concerning a woman?
Nothing like that at all. I am happily married. So, how will I be contesting a woman with him? That’s not possible at all.
How did your wife receive the news?
She was very surprised. In fact, she couldn’t believe it. She has since been praying that God will expose Bobby Ibadan.
We believe you’re going to charge the case to court soon?
Definitely. Once he is arrested, he will be charged to court. That’s the next line of action. But now, he has been declared wanted because his whereabouts is still unknown.
But what of if he had gone out of the country?
I think for now, they are trying to get the international police involved. That was the outcome of our meeting yesterday (Wednesday, May 14, 2014).
You also believe Bobby Ibadan will soon be apprehended by the police?
Yes, by the special grace of God. The God that had done it to this level will surely complete the assignment.
How would you express the joy in your heart now that you are still among the living?
My brother, it’s unquantifiable. It’s enormous. I can’t really express how happy I am now. Everything is by God’s grace, not my power. I will forever be grateful to Him.
– TADE ASIFAT
