The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of 1004 Estates Limited, Mr. Sam Ukpong, has alleged that some home owners and residents in the high rise building are after his life.
Ukpong said he has been receiving threat calls and SMS in the past few weeks to give up the estates or lose his life.
The 1004 estates chief, who raised the alarm on Tuesday, said the threat was not unconnected with the forceful invasion and takeover of the estate by some residents since December 2015.
He said: ‘’I have been living like a fugitive for months. It all started when they took over the estates and our facilities.
‘’They threatened to abduct my children attending American International School and I had to relocate them abroad when they attempted to make good the threat.
‘’They have run my family out of town but I have started receiving threat messages and calls to give up the business too.
‘’It is so sad that I don’t have a permanent residence again. I cannot even sleep well again. I sleep in different places every night.’’
Ukpong alleged the business hijackers are working with some unnamed government officials in the police and judiciary to cripple the estate.
He added: ‘’The last time the Inspector General of Police sent some officers to arrest the invaders, they were resisted by the gang leaders with some policemen from the Command.
‘’They have arrested and locked me up in police cell several times. The EFCC has been instigated to arrest me too.
‘’It is interesting that my only crime is running a legitimate business in an honest manner.
‘’I have not been guilty of anything sinister. They asked for a share of the company’s profit without any investment and vowed to cripple the business when I refused.
‘’They said they will show me they know powerful people and interests in the country. And that is what they have been doing.
‘’They have not only taken over the estate, they have also been running after my life.”
He urged security forces to protect him from dangers, saying those after his life had vowed not to give up until “he is dead.”
The distraught business owner said his travails have confirmed the widespread belief that the nation’s investment climate is unfriendly.
‘’If this can happen to a legitimate domestic investor, how can we attract foreign investors?
‘’All of these have shown that Nigeria is not safe for investors
‘’Does it mean one cannot invest, run a business and live in Lagos without harassment?
‘’Some have told me this is because I am a non-Yoruba but it is hard for me to believe because I was born and bred here.
‘’I have lived in Lagos for over 50 years. This state has been the best for investors but some few people are making it very doubtful now,’’ Ukpong stated.
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