Kogi: Ohinoyi throne contender, Sani-Omolori gone into hiding over N7 billion family property fraud allegation

As Ebira land in Kogi State begins search for a new Ohinoyi following the death of Dr Ado Ibrahim barely a month ago, the likely successor to the throne and former Clerk-to-the National Assembly, CNA Mr. Ataba Sani-Omolori, has gone into hiding.

The development followed a petition lodged against him by his immediate family over unauthorized sales of family property worth N7 billion which made the security agents to launch manhunt for him.

Sani-Omolori’s prospect of becoming the fifth Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, was high following his blood line and a heir to the throne, but things have gone awry in few days over criminal allegation filed against him that he sold one of the late father’s properties, CAPITAL POST has learnt.

Kingmakers in Ebiraland are currently in search of successor to the throne following the death of Dr Ado Ibrahim on 29th October, 2023 at the age of 94.

Ohinoyi of Ebiraland is the Vice Chairman of Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers.

It is recalled that Sani-Omolori who was a former Clerk to the National Assembly had stormy era following his numerous controversies with parliamentary and Legislative staff of National Assembly which bothers on salaries and emoluments till he was sacked on July 15, 2020.

Though the vacant seat of Ohinoyi has thrown up several interested persons, Ataba’s chance was more brightened, given that his father, late Muhammed Sani-Omolori spent over 40 years, and in the Ebira traditional succession history, heirs are usually considered by Kingmakers.

Ataba’s sibling, Buhari Sani-Omolori, reportedly lodged a complaint on August 10, 2023, at the Life Camp Police Division in Abuja, two months before the death of Dr Ibrahim over conspiracy to sell property worth N7 billion.

The property which is located at Plot 260-Katampe Ext. District in Abuja has been under investigation by the Police and effort to reach Ataba to answer question has been futile and frustrating to the Police.

Documents in the public domain showed that Ataba in connivance with some property dealers, identified as Messrs Hennes Homes Limited, HRH Igwe Gabriel Umeh, Mr Bala Khamofu, Nwegwa Uchenna, and Paul Igwe Nwagbamu, sold the property with the title Kareem Mohammed Tata and Sons Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Ataba’s late father, but which his name was not included as a Director at the time of registration of the Company at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Sources within the family indicated that no fraction of proceeds accrued from the sale of that land was extended to any of the families, a development that infuriated one of his siblings to draw attention of Police into the matter.

Hence, Ataba’s whereabout remain unknown, according to the police report dated December 6, 2023, with reference number AB:4099/FCT/LC/VOL.12/75, and desire of police detectives to interrogate him over the fraud allegation has been elusive till the time of filing this report.

CAPITAL POST recalled that Ataba Sani-Omolori had been ordered for arrest by Justice Suleman Belgore-led FCT High Court on July 8, 2020 over alleged diversion of brand new 14 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 13 Peugeot 508 valued over N400 million.

The Court order was at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC which received a petition against him, saying that upon his sack as Clerk to the National Assembly, Ataba Sani-Omolori diverted the said vehicles that were newly procured at the time.

The Court which entertained the EFCC’s ex parte application marked M/8728/2020 ruled that the former Clerk to NASS should be arrested having gone into hiding from the EFCC operatives.