JIMOH IBRAHIM’S ANTICS
Jimoh Ibrahim, Chairman and CEO, Energy Group, is not new to controversies.
His antics don’t come as a surprise to those who know him too well. In fact, his bag of tricks is never empty.
He has been enmeshed in many controversies in the past that left many in wonderment. He has mastered his gambit so well and it’s now second to none.
But if you think you have seen enough of his tricks, you are wrong. How? For some days now, the Harvard Universitytrained businessman has been dancing the dance of victory following the Appeal court pronouncement declaring him the rightful owner of Newswatch newspaper.
But many say that the Ondo State-born businessman lawyer should rather not be over-joyous, as the last has not yet been heard of the case.
The recent development has further forced many to take another look at his life. Sometime in 2006 when he bought 60% stake in the defunct EAS Airline owned by former governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, he promised to salvage the company. But things went from bad to worse until the airline which was renamed Nicon Airline was grounded.
Some staff of the defunct airline recently slammed a bankruptcy suit on him and demanded that he pays them their outstanding salary arrears.
Also, in 2008, he bought Mirror Newspapers from its former publisher, Prince Emeka Obasi. He promised heaven and earth for the staff, but the promise was not kept; hence, the business collapsed like a pack of cards.
In 2010, he bought the former Virgin Airline brand and renamed it Air Nigeria. At the time, many people were skeptical about the acquisition. One year later, he proved them right, as he ran it aground in his usual manner.