The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Accountability has called on relevant agencies to make concerted efforts to immediately stop the alleged fraudulent attempt by the duo of Dipo Onifade and Ama Etuweme to take over Pinnacle Communications Limited.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday,
Comrades Danesi Momoh Prince and Igwe Ude-Umanta; Convener and
Co Convener respectively, alerted the Nigerian public about the strange and disturbing development which has unfortunately implicated some very senior lawyers, thereby casting the judiciary in bad light.
“It is indeed a sad moment for every Nigerian of good conscience that a group of greedy individuals would conspire to take over a reputable company like Pinnacle Communications Limited which has provided quality services to Nigerians across all walks of life.
“Credible reports, backed up with strong documentary evidence validate allegations of conspiracy, fraud, forgery, fraudulent misrepresentation, forceful acquisition and economic sabotage of Pinnacle Communications Limited involving Messrs Dipo Onifade and Ama Etuwewe, SAN”, they noted.
The Coalition further traced the history of Pinnacle Communications Limited and revealed that “the Company was founded by Late Sir Lucky Babatunde Omoluwa as its Chief Executive Officer, with Late Stephen Omoluwa as Director and Dipo Onifade as Company Secretary in the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“With the eventual death of the CEO and Director, Mrs. Orumenosen Omoluwa, the surviving spouse and personal representative of the founder and CEO, Late Sir Lucky Omoluwa instituted Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/778/2020 between the Company vs CAC for an order to convene a meeting of personal representatives of the company in order to appoint new Directors for the company. The said application was granted by Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court on July 27, 2020.
“Pursuant to the order referenced above, Mrs. Omoluwa convened a meeting of the personal representatives of the Estate of Sir Lucky Omoluwa whereupon she (Mrs. Omoluwa) and Mr. Emmanuel Imana were appointed as new Directors of the company through a company resolution reached at the company’s meeting and filed with the CAC on August 3, 2020.
“On August 19, 2020 Dipo Onifade in an e-mail to Mrs. Omoluwa in her capacity as Chairperson and CEO of the company, notified the company of his voluntary disengagement from all the businesses and affairs of Late Sir Lucky Omoluwa on November 19, 2020 after a 3 months vacation. Subsequently, on November 25 2020, he officially and formally resigned in a letter addressed to Mrs. Omoluwa
“Things began to twist when after about 7 months, on July 14, 2021, Mr. Onifade wrote to the company making claims of monies owed him and threatened to take forceful possession of a property of the company located at No. 21 Albion Gate, London W2 2LF if his claims are not met. Documents at our disposal show that he executed his threat and the matter is pending in a London Court on grounds of trespass.
“Strangely and very shockingly, after resigning and disengaging from the company, he continued to parade himself as Secretary of the Company vide signing of documents, court apprarnces and even an attempt to take over legal actions of the company as well as even retaining a legal counsel, Mr. Ama Etuwewe, SAN on behalf of the company.
“Both the Court of Appeal in a case involving Mr. Onifade’s appeal of the order of Justice Taiwo Taiwo earlier referenced and Justice Christopher O. Oba of FCT High Court in a case between the Company vs Providus and Keystone banks (which Onifade and Etuwewe tried to take over) declared that they have no locus whatsoever, having properly resigned from the company.
“Having failed in all attempts to hijack the company in the alleged fraudulent manners elucidated, Messrs Onifade and Etuwewe surreptitiously approached a FHC in Abuja to declare the company insolvent and appoint an administrator which must have been arranged by them. This was without the knowledge or involvement of the CEO, Directors and staff of the company. No court proceedings were served at the known address of the Company as Mr. Onifade received them, claiming to represent the company.
“Another twist in this is that in the purported insolvency case, Etuwewe is no longer Onifade’s legal retainer. He became an interested party and hired the services of J.B. Daudu, SAN, while Onifade engaged Mele Nunghe, SAN who as planned, already did not raise objection to the motion to declare the company insolvent through misinformation, misrepresentation and falsehood.
“Consequently, the court relying on conspiracy actions and falsehood declared the company insolvent and appointed Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN administrator of the company. This is shameful, treacherous and abuse of professional powers and privileges”
While efforts are being made to stall the execution of this bizarre and fraudulent order, the civil society has taken upon itself to “ensure the protection of the estates of Nigerians both living and dead and the prosecution of fraudsters who are bent on manipulating public sentiments and denying rightful owners and heirs proceeds of their labour.
“In light of the above, we call on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to immediately step in to correct every injustice or anomaly in this case and bring any judicial officer that may be culpable to book.
“Equally, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should expedite action on the petition of A.I. Lemu, SAN on behalf of Pinnacle Communications Limited which was received at the EFCC headquarters on January 26, 2026.
“We call on Mr. President, National Assembly members, the media and civil society organizations resist reckless attempts by highly placed individuals and judicial officers to swindle people of their hard earned investments. It is Pinnacle Communications Limited today, tomorrow it might be someone else. A stitch in time saves nine”.
