How Pelican Estates CEO Adeyemo Pardoned Trigger-Happy Customs Officer Who Almost Killed Him
Olufemi Orunsola
In a fascinating twist of events that smarks of deploying divine nature to reform erring human nature via forgiveness, the Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Estates, Ambassador Dr Babatunde Adeyemo has pardoned the trigger-happy customs officer who almost killed him by shooting at his car in December 2024.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that Ambassador Adeyemo, who is also the founder of Okó Opó Foundation, made the move unexpected move in his Estate office in Abeokuta, shortly after a meeting with senior officials of NCS over the shooting incident last week.
OTN News further reports that the multiple-award winning real estate entrepreneur had asked the erring operative “to go and sin no more,” pleading with the NCS and its leadership, on behalf of the concerned officer, for a “second chance” and “not relieve him of his job” over the professional misconduct.
OTN News recalls that Adeyemo cheated death by whiskers when the gun-totting Customs operative shot at his vehicle while returning from the grand finale of the Ibese Asakanran Day festival. the Ibara-Orile area of Ogun State on December 8, 2024
The businessman subsequently protested the near-fatal shooting incident, threatened a legal action against the NCS and demanded N50million in compensation.
OTN News gathered that the erring Customs officer had been in detention since December 8, 2024 when the incident occurred.
While the victim of the incident, Dr Adeyemo had initially taken to litigation and demand for compensation, he made the news by choosing to thread the part of the divine nature of forgiveness, as a tool for reforming the erring ones as preached by the Holy books, hence the new development.
Speaking after the conciliatory meeting which held at Pelican Valley Estate, Laderin, Abeokuta, Adeyemo informed the press that he had resolved not to demand compensation anymore and leave the matter to God who saved him from the jaws of death.
He recalled that initially when he visited the Ikeja office of the NCS, he wanted the agency to replace his damaged car and laptop with heavy compensation but later changed his mind.
In his own reasoning and words, "In a country where many youths are either into Yahoo or planning Japa, we need to continue to encourage those who are willing to work legitimately. Hence, we don’t have to throw away the baby with the bath water. Blessing, I believe, had learnt his lessons. He should go and sin no more".
Adeyemo however berated the Public Relations Unit of the NCS for the lackadaisical attitude towards the serious image-denting incident, noting that there was no way he could have pushed the earlier litigation filed without significant strains and stains on the NCS, appealing to them to learn from the ugly incident and put up better Public Relations at all times.
The Media expert turned real estate entrepreneur urged the NCS to scout for Nigerians of integrity and honest living as its civilian brand ambassadors , so as to inspire good behaviour and promote positive values among the youths, adding that the agency should prioritise public awareness campaigns over enforcement alone. He noted that the Customs can only generate more revenue through compliance.
In his remarks, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Olabode Akinola, made it known that NCS does not condone any form of indiscipline or misconduct.
According to him, any officer found culpable of wrongdoing receives appropriate sanction, including dismissal and possible prosecution, depending on the gravity of the matter and level of such officer.
Another officer in the NCS delegation, Mr. Adejumo Gafar, who also spoke at the meeting, explained that the Customs delegation came to plead on behalf of the erring operative and that the outcome of the parley will determine his fate.
In addition, the Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Mr. Kaffu Samuel, expressed gratitude to God that the shooting incident did not lead to loss of life. He begged Adeyemo to temper justice with mercy, noting that the NCS was ready to restore the items lost to the shooting.
In his contribution, the Chief Imam of Owu Kingdom, Alhaji Kehinde Sulaimon, who quoted copiously from the Qur’an, pleaded with the Pelican boss to take the incident as a temptation and test from Almighty Allah, noting that the culprit is his family breadwinner and whatever he decided to do on the matter will be the final.
The Legal Consultant to Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Barr. Michael Figbele, stated that the meeting was meant to explore amicable settlement as there was no grudge against the culprit.
Figbele pointed out that if his client had wanted to escalate the matter, actions would have since been taken, adding that a letter previously written to the Customs headquarters in Abuja was done in pursuit of peace.
At the end of the engagement, the NCS officials pledged th
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