Dele Momodu Accused of Unpaid Food Services from 2022 Campaign
A fresh controversy has emerged involving former presidential candidate and media mogul Chief Dele Momodu, who has been accused of failing to pay N380,000 owed to a catering business, Black Diamond Kitchen, for services rendered during the 2022 presidential campaign.
The accusation was made public by Ifeoma Obu, a staff member of the catering outfit, who claimed that Momodu contracted the kitchen to provide small chops and wait staff for a political event in Abuja while serving as the Director of Strategic Communications for Atiku Abubakar’s Campaign Committee.
Obu alleged in a viral video:
“In 2022, Mr. Dele Momodu contacted us for the supply of small chops for a political event which was delivered. Up till date, there is no sign of payment. My boss asked me to make this video, and I would be glad if the payment is made.”
Lere Olayinka Confirms Debt, Pays Part of It
The allegations gained traction after Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, weighed in on the issue. Olayinka stated that he personally paid N200,000 out of the debt to support the struggling business and gave Momodu one week to settle the balance of N180,000.
In his statement, Olayinka noted:
“Because of debts from people like Dele Momodu, that small food business has collapsed. The staff, Ifeoma Obu, who handled the transaction, has relocated to the village. I’ve paid N200k of the N380k he’s owing. If he doesn’t pay the remaining by next week, I’ll pay it myself.”
Business Owner Confirms Allegations, Calls Debt ‘Bad Faith’
When contacted, the owner of Black Diamond Kitchen confirmed Obu’s version of events. He stated that the company provided catering services at a political event held at Legacy in Abuja and claimed Dele Momodu was aware of the arrangement.
He said:
“All attempts to get him to pay failed. It was an agreement-based service, and we delivered. Someone else came forward to make part payment recently, and I’m grateful. I now see it as a bad debt.”
Dele Momodu Denies All Allegations, Calls Accusers ‘Mentally Unstable’
In a swift response, Dele Momodu vehemently denied the claims, dismissing them as an attempt to tarnish his reputation.
“If Black Diamond Kitchen claims I’m owing them, they should go to court. The person saying that is having mental issues,” Momodu said.
“I don’t know any Black Diamond Kitchen in Abuja. The only one I know is owned by Eko Hotels. I don’t contract people for food; I have staff. Me owing N380,000 is an insult.”
Momodu emphasized that as a senior figure in Atiku’s campaign, he would not handle such logistics personally and questioned the credibility of the claims.
Public Reaction and Implications for Political Accountability
The incident has stirred conversations around financial accountability and support for small businesses during political campaigns. While some online commentators applauded Olayinka’s intervention, others questioned why a prominent figure like Momodu would allow such a situation to escalate.
As of now, the remaining N180,000 remains unpaid, with Olayinka promising to clear the debt if Momodu fails to respond.
