The Expensive Absence of Jite Okoloko

The Chinese say that a fleeing rabbit has three holes. It brings to mind the case of the once-prominent figure behind NotoreChemical Industries Plc, Onajite Okoloko, who has seemingly vanished from the public eye.

Since his remarriage and subsequent controversies surrounding his personal life, Okoloko’s presence in the public sphere has dwindled significantly. Amidst ongoing legal battles and financial disputes, the whereabouts and activities of this enigmatic figure have become the subject of speculation and intrigue.

Not long ago, news sources revealed that Okoloko’s company, Eroton Exploration, was embroiled in a bitter legal dispute with his estranged wife, Salma Okoloko, over an outstanding contract debt. Eroton reportedly failed to honour its financial obligations to Salma’s company, Tectonic Oil Tools Limited (TOTL), prompting legal action from the latter.

Okoloko’s personal life has also been marred by controversy, particularly concerning his divorce from Salma. The divorce proceedings, initiated in 2020, have allegedly been fraught with legal complexities and jurisdictional disputes. Furthermore, allegations of mismanagement and under-reporting have been reported as attracting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Okoloko’s door.

Amid these legal and personal challenges, Okoloko has managed to stick to his principles. In 2021, he announced his retirement as the chief executive officer of NotoreChemical Industries Plc after 16 years at the helm. It is expected that his successor, Ohis Ohiwerei, will be able to move the company, which is Africa’s first indigenous urea fertiliser producer, forward.

So far, Ohiwerei has floated on the waves of controversy, as does his predecessor. In other words, Notore may continue to be free, despite having a former boss with a large shadow of uncertainty and legal battles.

The legacy of Okoloko continues to loom large, even though it is overshadowed by legal disputes and personal controversies that have left lingering questions about his whereabouts.