Kunle Kalejaye
16 September 2014, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), at its general meeting at Mosimi Depot, Sagamu, Ogun State, has resolved to sanction and sue some of its members for libel, whom the association claimed made frivolous allegation against Mosimi Depot executive members over misappropriation of N500 million .
At its meeting, which recorded a large turnout of members that included elders’ forum, representatives from national body, all zonal delegates and Executive members in South West Depots, IPMAN stated that there was no basis for the allegation of misappropriation of N500 million.
The association, therefore, passed a vote of confidence on its Mosimi Depot Executive led by Mr. Dele Tajudeen Lamidi in opposition to the allegation of N500 million being peddled by some members of the association.
IPMAN, in its communiqué at the end of the meeting, also declared that the purported election by a faction led by one Adeleke Dada was illegal, null and void, stressing that punitive measures would be taken against Dada and his faction, if they continued to parade themselves as the current executive of IPMAN at Mosimi Depot without association’s election.
The communiqué, which was adopted at the end of the meeting, stated: “Vote of confidence was passed on the out-going IPMAN Exco led by Comrade Dele Tajudeen Lamidi in opposition to the allegation of N500,000,000 being peddled by some disgruntled members.
“The outgoing Exco has been mandated to going on with the planned election of new executives in October, 2014.
“A letter should be written to the NNPC to recognise the IPMAN Exco led by Comrade Dele Tajudeen Lamidi with immediate effect in the day –to-day running of the affairs of the association.
“That the purported “Kangaroo” election of the faction being led by One Adeleke Dada is declared illegal, null and void and any further attempt to continue to parade themselves as the current executives without association’s election shall be deemed as a coup against the association which shall attract punitive measures in line with the provisions of the association’s constitution.
“That henceforth any act of thuggery, harassment and assault emanating from the Adeleke Dada’s faction should be lawfully resisted by members and the out-going executives without prejudice,” it stressed.
Lamidi, while reacting to the allegation of misappropriating N500 million, said it was malicious, spurious, unfounded and baseless.
He queried where they came about the figure, as Mosimi Deport of the association could not be said to have got N100 million in its account let alone N500 million.
The Mosimi Depot IPMAN Chairman, who promised to sue Dada over this allegation, said: “The association did not make N500 million in turnover. Where do we get such huge fund to misappropriate? Where did they get such figures? We are going to sue them for libel if they cannot substantiate their claims with evidence.
“In the first place, they are using illegal means to lay the allegation. In the constitution of IPMAN, there are procedures of making complaints and allegation. When you have any issue of wrongdoing against somebody, you write to the state or national executive body of IPMAN. They will set up a committee to investigate the allegation.
“It is when it is established that the person actually committed such an act that action can be taken against the person. As a matter of fact, in the IPMAN constitution, you cannot even go to court until you have exhausted all the internal avenues of getting the issue tackled. It is after that, if you are not satisfied, that you can go to court.
“Now, how did they come about the N500 million? Have they seen the account of IPMAN? I want to be honest with you, I do not keep IPMAN money. We have people who are in charge of finance. When everything is approved, they bring the paper and I sign,” he explained.