The management of Dangote Group has berated Kogi state government over accusation that the company sponsored arsonists to burn the state House of Assembly complex in Lokoja.
In a statement signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, the company described the direct accusation by Kogi state government as “insane and grossly irresponsible”.
Dangote Group said it has mandated its lawyers to react appropriately to the damaging allegation from the Kogi State Government within the full extent of the law.
“Our attention has been drawn to a circulating press statement issued by the Kogi State Government, wherein the Dangote Group was accused of allegedly sponsoring arsonists to set the Kogi State House of Assembly on fire in the early hours of Monday, October 10, 2022.
“The statement titled, ‘Obajana: Desperation sets in as imported hoodlums burn down Kogi Assembly’, which was signed by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo pointedly accused our company of burning the complex ‘in an attempt to possibly destroy evidence relating to the ownership tussle between the Kogi State Government and the Dangote Group over the Obajana Cement Company.’
“As a socially responsible corporate entity, we totally refute this allegation and condemn this unprofessional and irresponsible attempt to smear our image before local and international investors and thus erode our brand value.
“Dangote Group would never stoop so low as to sponsor thugs to destroy any property, belonging to either government or any individual. This runs contrary to our business ethos and everything we stand for as a leading manufacturer with teeming customers and consumers across Nigeria and Africa,” the statement said.
Dangote Group urged its stakeholders and the public to disregard “such irresponsible and insane statements as we ask all our stakeholders, namely shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees, and the entire community of Obajana and Kogi State at large to remain calm while we follow the legitimate and lawful process to resolve this matter with the state government.”
Thank you
Anthony Chiejina
Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer
Dangote Industries Limited
