Goodie Ibru Resigns as Ikeja Hotels Chairman

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Popular Nigerian businessman, Mr Goodie Ibru, has resigned from his position as Chairman of Ikeja Hotels Plc.

Ikeja Hotels owns the popular Sheraton Hotel in Abuja and Lagos, Capital Hotel and Federal Palace Hotel.

A statement issued on Monday disclosed that one of the important figures in the Ibru family decision to quit office because of several lawsuits filed against the company by shareholders.

His action comes almost two months after Justice Kafarati of the Federal High Court in Abuja declared Mr Ibru as the authentic Chairman of Ikeja Hotels Plc.

He explained that to ensure the company climbs to the next step, he had to accept to leave as Chairman.

However, he urged the younger generation of Ibrus to work with other shareholders to continue to carry on the torch of excellence for which Ikeja Hotels had been known for.

But he stressed that the December 21, 2016 ruling of Justice Kafarati vindicated his struggle for corporate governance in the company and provided the right timing for him to retire as founding chairman after 32 successful years in office.

It would be recalled that in 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Mr Ibru wanted in connection with money laundering, conspiracy, theft, capital market fraud and diversion of funds.

From the notice issued by the EFCC then, it was clear that Mr Ibru’s offence emanated from his chairmanship of Ikeja Hotels, owners of Sheraton Hotel in Abuja and Lagos, Capital Hotel and Federal Palace Hotel.

The ownership of the company has been a subject of dispute between Maiden Ibru, publisher of The Guardian newspaper and Goodie Ibru.

“The public is hereby notified that Goodie Minabo Ibru is wanted by the EFCC in connection with a case of conspiracy, capital market fraud, stealing, diversion of funds and money laundering.

“He diverted billions of Naira and assets of Ikeja Hotels Plc, owners of Sheraton Hotel, Lagos; Federal Palace Hotel and Capital Hotel; owners of Sheraton Hotel Abuja to his personal benefit.

“Anybody having useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the commission through any of its offices located at Abuja, Kano, Gombe, Lagos, Ibadan, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt,” the EFCC had said in its notice last year.