• Avian Specialties boss mired in debt scandal few years after he was investigated for fraud by anti-graft agency
As the lone wolf cries to the moon without response, Gbenga James is crying to the wind in abject futility. The Avian Specialties Limited head honcho was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arrested with his wife at their Ibadan, Oyo state residence by EFCC operatives.
Gbenga, an estranged friend and business associate of Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose, was arrested over his alleged disregard for Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON)’s demand notices for the non-performing loans and debts incurred by his company. It would be recalled that Gbenga and Fayose were best of friends and business partners. Their friendship got impaired when Gbenga, then the owner of Biological Concept, was implicated in corruption allegations filed against Fayose during his first stint as Ekiti governor. The intrigues of the incident led to the ouster of Fayose as the state’s governor.
Indeed, in dark times, our friends become our worst nemesis. Thus when Gbenga became fate’s dark reprisal against his bosom friend and Ekiti governor, Fayose, he only behaved true to stereotype. Gbenga in a heartrending display of betrayal and disregard for the bond of friendship shared best kept secrets of certain shady business dealings with Fayose. Rumour had it that he betrayed Fayose and gave him up to the EFCC even though Fayose only sought to help him by awarding him a poultry contract.
Gbenga allegedly admitted his guilt in the fraudulent poultry scheme, stressing that he had to give up his friend as the pressure mounted on him by the EFCC had become unbearable. Gbenga was eventually let off the hook by the anti-corruption agency and he has since withdrawn from the social and political circuits until AMCON case recently.
