Dangote industries Limited has debunked allegation by the Kogi State government that it sponsored arsonists to set the Kogi State House of Assembly on fire in the early hours of Monday
The State House of Assembly had been gutted by a mysterious fire in the early hours of Monday
There had been a faceoff between the State government and the Dangote Cement company in Obajana, in the State over the ownership status of the company leading to the seal off of activities of the company by government agents.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo had issued a statement that accused the Dangote Group 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 entitled ‘Obajana: Desperation sets in as imported hoodlums burn down Kogi Assembly’, pointedly accused the 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.”
In reaction, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer Dangote Industries Limited Anthony Chiejina said, “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.
“Our lawyers have been mandated to react appropriately to the damaging allegation from the Kogi State Government within the full extent of the law.
He urge their stakeholders and the public to disregard such irresponsible and insane statements as he ask all of the company’s stakeholders, namely shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees, and the entire community of Obajana and Kogi State at large to remain calm while they follow the legitimate and lawful process to resolve the matter with the State Government.