Real estate entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Ambassador (Dr) Babatunde Adeyemo, has decided to forgive the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officer who recently fired at his vehicle, nearly costing him his life.
Adeyemo, who is also the founder of Okó Opó Foundation, made this known on Thursday evening at his estate office in Abeokuta following a reconciliatory meeting with senior NCS officials over the incident. Despite initially demanding N50 million in compensation, he announced that he would no longer pursue the case legally, stating that he had left everything to God.
“I have asked him to go and sin no more. I have also appealed to the Customs leadership not to dismiss him but to give him a second chance. In a country where many young people are either engaging in cybercrime or planning to migrate, we should encourage those who still want to work legitimately. I believe he has learnt his lesson,” Adeyemo said.
The harrowing incident occurred on December 8, 2024, along the Ibara-Orile axis of Ogun State, when a Customs operative, later identified as Blessing, opened fire on Adeyemo’s vehicle.
The real estate mogul was returning from the Ibese Asakanran Day festival when the bullet struck his car, narrowly missing him.
Deeply shaken by the attack, Adeyemo initially vowed to take legal action against the NCS and demanded compensation for the damages to his car and laptop. The erring officer was subsequently detained, pending the outcome of investigations.
However, following Thursday’s meeting at Pelican Valley Estate, Laderin, Abeokuta, Adeyemo said he had decided to forgo the compensation and legal battle out of sympathy for the officer.
He lamented the carefree attitude of the Customs PR Unit towards the matter, emphasizing that their poor handling of the situation worsened the agency’s already battered public image.
“I initially visited the Ikeja Customs office with the intention of demanding compensation for my damaged car and laptop. But after some reflection, I chose to drop the demand. The Customs PR Unit’s response to this serious issue was disappointing; they seemed unconcerned about salvaging their already fragile public perception,” he stated.
Adeyemo criticized the Customs PR Department for failing to handle the situation strategically, arguing that such negligence contributes to the agency’s negative reputation among Nigerians.
He advised the NCS to engage credible Nigerians as brand ambassadors to foster positive public perception rather than focusing solely on enforcement.
“Customs needs to do more than just enforcement; they must actively educate the public. Compliance can only increase when people understand the reasons behind regulations. They should also scout for reputable Nigerians to serve as brand ambassadors and promote good values among the youth,” he said.
During the meeting, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Olabode Akinola, reiterated that the agency does not tolerate indiscipline, stressing that officers found guilty of professional misconduct face disciplinary actions, including dismissal and prosecution.
“Customs does not condone any form of misconduct. Any officer found culpable will be sanctioned appropriately, depending on the severity of the case,” Akinola said.
Another senior officer, Mr. Adejumo Gafar, explained that the NCS delegation had come to plead for clemency on behalf of the detained officer, adding that the meeting’s outcome would determine his fate.
Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Mr. Kaffu Samuel, expressed gratitude that the incident did not result in loss of life. He pleaded with Adeyemo to temper justice with mercy, assuring him that the agency was willing to restore any property lost due to the shooting.
Similarly, the Chief Imam of Owu Kingdom, Alhaji Kehinde Sulaimon, quoting from the Qur’an, appealed to Adeyemo to consider the officer’s family situation before taking further action.
“This is a test from Almighty Allah. The officer is the breadwinner of his family, and whatever you decide will determine their fate. I urge you to show mercy,” he implored.
The Legal Consultant to Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Barr. Michael Figbele, noted that the meeting was aimed at resolving the matter amicably, stressing that Adeyemo bore no grudge against the officer.
“If our client wanted to escalate the issue, action would have been taken immediately. The letter previously written to the Customs headquarters in Abuja was intended to seek peace, not conflict,” Figbele explained.
At the end of the meeting, NCS officials pledged their support for Okó Opó Foundation’s initiatives to assist widows, children, and underprivileged members of society.
Some of the notable figures at the meeting included Mr. Ayobami Akanji (IAS), Alhaji Ismaheel Tayese (an Owu Chief), Omoba Owolabi Adepega (Baale Ojo), Mr. Olabode Akinola (Assistant Customs Comptroller), Mr. Ismaheel Alarape (NCS Superintendent Officer), and Mr. Kaffu Samuel (Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Lagos).
