Governing council cry out over attempt to sell MKO Abiola’s school

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Palpable fear has grip the Governing Council of an Arabic institute belonging to late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. The Zulikha Abiola Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Abeokuta has been rumoured to be offered to interested buyers by some family members.

The property which is located on a parcel of land along Abiola way area of Abeokuta has been occupied by the Islamic school with a big mosque being used by Islamic organisation, NASFAT for Sunday worships and other activities.

The school is one of the prominent and recognised Arabic institutions in Nigeria and the whole of Africa as it is also affiliated to many Universities in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Islamic countries.

The institution has produced Islamic scholars of high repute in the country and all over the world.

In a press statement signed by the Solicitor to the Governing Council of the institution, Barr. Mutiu Agboke in Abeokuta, an influential family close to Abiola’s family in Abeokuta (name withheld) was attempting to sell the
property.

Agboke who issued the statement ‘on firm instruction’ of the Governing Council said those attempting to sell the property were allegedly working with some unnamed members of Abiola’s family.

He explained that the Islamic and Arabic School which has been on the parcel of the land since 1978 was dedicated, through a will, to be an Islamic center after the demise of Abiola and entrusted to the Governing Council of the institution.

According to the statement, the first son of the late politician, Kola Abiola was made the Proprietor of the college.

The statement reiterated that Abiola’s family had, at no time, sold, lease or licensed the properties to any individual or group to take charge of the property for the purpose of sale or lease.

The statement further revealed that when information filtered about attempt by some people to sell the properties, an inscription which reads “This property is not for sale” was boldly written on the wall of the property only for it to be wiped off by some ‘faceless people.’

“The attention of our client has been drawn to the activities of some unscrupulous elements parading themselves as the bonafide owner of the expanse of land upon which both Zulikha Abiola College of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Zulikha Abiola Center for Arabic and Islamic Studies are built.

“The individuals have been making frantic effort to sell the said parcel of land, with the block of classrooms, mosque and other structures thereon belonging to our client. We reiterate strongly on behalf of our client that the named properties belong to the late Chief MKO Abiola and had been duly entrusted with the Council of the College.

“We write on behalf of our client that Abiola family had at no time sold, leased nor licensed the properties to any individual or group nor delegated any individual or group to sell, lease or license the properties on its behalf,” the statement read.

The Solicitor, however cautioned anyone attempting to buy the properties from any land agent to desist, adding that, “for doing so, will amount to buying nothing,” Agboke posited.