Former Niger Delta militant Asari Dokubo has claimed that Wells Carlton boss Osahon Idahosa and Olu of Warri Ogiame Atuwatse III are in cahoots, sharing N2.7 trillion in annual contracts to protect the nation’s oil pipeline.
In a viral video, Mr Dokubo asserted that the witch-hunt against his kinsman and comrade, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, was unwarranted despite his company receiving an annual N48 billion pipeline surveillance contract, which Mr Dokubo said was small compared with the contracts allegedly enjoyed by Mr Idahosa and the Olu of Warri.
Mr Idahosa is the son of late Captain Idahosa Okunbo and brother-in-law to the Warri monarch.
Mr Tompolo’s Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited was awarded N48 billion to protect the nation’s oil pipeline in 2023. The contract, which has constantly sparked criticisms, was to run for three years at N48 billion per year.
“So, because I am fighting for freedom, the Olu of Warri can do a contract and have money, but Tompolo cannot do the contract and have his own money. I cannot do it,” Mr Dokubo said in the video.
“You are talking about Tompolo, what of the Olu of Warri and Osahon, the son of Captain (Ida)hosa that are collecting N2.7 trillion every month for guiding pipeline?”
Mr Dokubo subsequently corrected his earlier statement, saying the figure was an annual amount and not monthly.
“They are collecting N2.7 trillion a year,” Mr Dokubo said, correcting himself.
He suggested that Mr Okunbo’s Benin heritage and Olu of Warri’s Itsekiri ties insulated them from the backlash that Mr Tompolo was facing in the Tinubu administration.
“You didnt call them out because they are Benin people and Itsekiri people. You didnt call them out,” Mr Dokubo said, appearing frustrated in the video. “You didn’t see Osahon Idahosa pipeline infrastructure. You did not see the Olu of Warri. They are collecting N2.7 trillion a year. You are calling Tompolo who is collecting less.”
Mr Dokubo further claimed to have seen an oil vessel which had “OUK” initials for former Abia State governor Orji Uzor Kalu.
“Yesterday, I saw a vessel. On it was written ‘OUK’, Orji Uzor Kalu, operating in our waters,” he said.
Ifetayo Adeniyi, spokesperson for the Olu of Warri, said Mr Dokubo’s “lies” validate the saying that “sense is not common,” questioning the amount of the nation’s entire budget to warrant the so-called trillions of naira for oil pipeline protection.
“How much is NNPC budget? How much is Nigeria’s budget?” Mr Adeniyi asked, querying the sense or lack thereof in Mr Dokubo’s claims.
He said the palace would not diginify the opinions of a “fool” with any comment because doing so would sully the monarchy.
Mr Idahosa did not immediately return comments on Mr Dokubo’s allegation.