Atiku’s Gotel Communications Limited Speaks On Staff Salary

In a press release made available to Naija News on Thursday, January 16, concerning some persons who claimed that they are been owed salaries by the Gotel Communications Limited, the company has however on this note make some clarification concerning the matter.

The statement which was signed by Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku Abubakar, former vice president of Nigeria, disclosed that Gotel Communications Limited has in 2013 hired Mr John Chiahemen to handle the affairs of its company, but that there were issues raised against Mr Chiamehen in 2016, which noted mismanagement and misappropriation of funds that led to breach of trust.

The press statement reads in part below;

“For the avoidance of doubt, the funds dedicated to the payment of salaries of staff, both local and expatriates that were engaged by Chiamehen himself were made available to him. All those concerned are advised to contact Mr. Chiamehen accordingly.

“It has come to our notice that some persons purporting to be an expatriate staff of Gotel Communications Limited, founded by Atiku Abubakar have caused to be published media reports suggesting that they are owed salaries. Nothing can be further from the truth.”

“To retool its operations, Gotel had in 2013 hired one Mr John Chiahemen to lead the planning, design, build-out and rollout of TV Gotel Africa to be based in Abuja.

“To this end, Chiamehen was given a free hand by the founder and board of the company to run the affairs of Gotel.

“Requisite resources, as requested by Chiamehen were made available. On his own part, Chiamehen had committed to a revenue profile of N150 million, among others.

“But by 2016, there were concerns that the Chiamehen management was only long in promises and short in performance, prompting the then board to empanel an Adhoc visitation committee to examine the state of the company. The findings of that committee were damning.

“Consequently, the committee recommended the need for a comprehensive audit of the company. The audit revealed serious fiduciary infractions by the Chiamehen led management.”

“Further to the audit report, a board meeting was convened to consider the auditor’s report. However, before that meeting, Mr John Chiamehen bolted and has refused to make himself available to account for the huge resources put in his charge.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the funds dedicated to the payment of salaries of staff, both local and expatriates that were engaged by Chiamehen himself were made available to him. All those concerned are advised to contact Mr Chiamehen accordingly.”

“On the 14th of December 2016, a formal petition on an alleged breach of trust, fraud and misappropriation of funds against the former managing director/CEO was filed at the FCIID (Interpol) for investigation.”

“Mr Chiamehen is encouraged to make himself available to give an account of all monies put in his charge during his tenure as MD/CEO of Gotel.”