Modupe Alakija has given insight into what led to a face - off between him and a member of Ikoyi Club 1938, who has been identified as Ashish Gajjar.
Modupe, who is a lawyer and husband of Folorunsho Alakija, the billionaire businesswoman deemed as Africa’s richest woman, alleged that Gajjar videotaped him for taking off his mask.
The action as reported, led to resorting to use of fisticuff during the face - off.
The legal practitioner was slammed with a one-year suspension at the club for allegedly assaulting Gajjar.
According to a circular by the Ikoyi Club, it stated that the suspension would run from December 2021 to November 2022.
The club's notice of Mr Alakija’s suspension from December 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022 reads: “The above-named member of the Club is hereby placed on a one year suspension from the Club for physically assaulting and abusing a fellow member, conduct injurious to the interest of the Club, thereby violating Rule 9(C) of the Club’s Rule Book."
But in a response filed by Modupe, the septuagenarian gave account of the nature of the face-off that morphed into altercation.
He alleged that Gajja “rudely and crudely” reprimanded him for momentarily taking off his face mask.
According to Modupe, Gajja who was ignorant of the subject of the debate, proceeded to charge at him to put on his mask.
“Evidence had been given to the committee that I came into the premises of the Club with my police escort. The police escort was in my car, came out to open the door of my car in front of the clubhouse, and drove away.
“On entering the clubhouse, I observed all the protocols including the wearing of a mask.
“There was a friendly discussion between the protocol staff and I on whether an officer duly empowered and armed under an extant law of the national assembly could be stopped from entering any premises in Nigeria.
“...except certain parts of airports and airplanes. My mask was taken off while having the debate with the protocol staff. All these took place at the entry point and not in any other part of the Club House.
“In reply to his crude and unethical manner, I told him to f**k off and mind his business. In gross violation of my right to privacy, he brought out his camera and started to videotape me without my consent,” he said.
Continuing, Modupe said :“On his refusal to delete the photos as I demanded, I decided to hold on to his shirt in order to stop him from absconding and taking my pictures away with him.
“The inspector-general in his discretion decided to give me a police escort as I am at risk of being kidnapped. My photograph might end up in the hands of kidnappers or assassins that prowl the streets of Nigeria.
“The complainant in his letter admitted that he knew that the Club had its own CCTV. But being a busy-body [he] decided to carry out his illegal act.”
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