Former Director of Strategic Communications of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Committee, Dele Momodu, has vehemently denied allegations that he owes a catering business N380,000 for small chops supplied during a 2022 political event.

The controversy erupted when Ifeoma Obu, who identified herself as a staff of Black Diamond Kitchen, claimed that Momodu contracted their services during the 2022 presidential campaign period but failed to pay for the supplied refreshments and waitstaff services.

In a video statement, Obu said: "Good evening sir, my name is Ifeoma Obu, a staff of Black Diamond Kitchen and in 2022, 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 just contacted me yesterday that I should make this video and I would be glad if the payment is made."

The owner of Black Diamond Kitchen corroborated Obu's claims, stating that all efforts to recover the debt had proven futile. "That is very true, a good Samaritan actually made part payment for the service we provided in 2022 for a political event he had at Legacy in the FCT. Nothing was paid, it was agreement-based and since then we tried all our possible best to get the payment then but to no avail, so we just forgot about it," the business owner explained.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has intervened in the matter. Olayinka claimed to have paid N200,000 of the alleged debt, leaving a balance of N180,000, and gave Momodu one week to settle the remaining amount.

"Because of debts from people like Dele Momodu, that Small food business of SAMSON AYINDE has collapsed. IFEOMA OBU, the staff of Black Diamond Kitchen, who handled the business transaction has also relocated to the village," Olayinka stated.

However, when contacted by BenriNews, Momodu categorically denied the allegations, suggesting they were an attempt to tarnish his reputation. "If Black Diamond Kitchen claims I'm owing them, the company should go to court. They are just trying to scandalize my name," he said.

The former presidential candidate further stated: "The only Black Diamond I know is owned by Eko Hotels, the Chagourys. The person saying that is having mental issues. How can I have staff yet be contracting somebody? I have never done that in my life. Me owing N380,000 is insulting as the Director of Strategic Communications of the Atiku."

The dispute highlights the challenges small businesses face in recovering debts from high-profile clients, with the catering business owner expressing relief that at least partial payment had been made through a third party.

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