Success Damian
Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) has expressed shock over the tampering of its portal by an unknown ‘caretaker committee’.
A statement titled ‘Securing the Integrity of NIDO Europe’ and signed by Hon Michael Otogo, General Secretary; Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi, Chairman and Engr. Shakiru Oladunjoye, PRO/Ass Gen. Secretary, read, “It came to our attention that unauthorized individuals, who have identified themselves as members of a so-called Caretaker Committee, gained unlawful access to our portal.”
The statement disclosed that the so called caretaker committee did not stop at that, they also made alterations in the official records of NIDOE. “These individuals made unauthorized alterations to the official records, including the wrongful addition of directors and the unlawful removal of duly elected directors.”
The statement further averred that such illegal access was a clear violation of NIDO Europe’s legal rights and its established governance framework. “We must make it unequivocally clear that these actions, which have been conducted without the consent or authorization of the legitimate NIDO Europe leadership, constitute a clear violation of NIDO Europe’s legal rights and its established governance framework. These modifications not only represent a breach of the UK’s corporate laws but also undermine the trust and unity within the organization.”
The press statement further revealed that aside the unlawful modifications in its portal, NIDOE has also identified instances of impersonation across NIDO Europe’s social media platforms, official domains, and email communications. “These actions were executed without the authorization of the duly elected executives and constitute blatant violations of NIDO Europe’s governance and intellectual property rights. Such unauthorized acts are not only an affront to the integrity of the organization but also a direct assault on the transparency and accountability we have worked so diligently to uphold.”
It also revealed that these individuals have sought to manipulate legal frameworks, particularly UK Company Law, by unlawfully entering unapproved officers, who were never elected, into official records. “This has contributed to an atmosphere of confusion, misrepresentation, and misinformation. We must emphasize that any attempt to impersonate the leadership of NIDO Europe or misuse its platforms is a criminal and fraudulent activity. Such conduct jeopardizes the reputation of the organization and could potentially mislead stakeholders into engaging in fraudulent agreements or contracts.
“We urge all stakeholders to exercise extreme caution and immediately distance themselves from any engagement with these unauthorized individuals or their communications. Should you receive any correspondence or be solicited for any agreement by individuals not officially recognized by NIDO Europe, we strongly advise against engaging in such interactions. These are fraudulent actors, and any transactions or commitments made through them will not be recognized by NIDO Europe.
“We wish to reassure all members that we have taken swift and decisive action in response to these breaches. The matter has been reported to the relevant authorities, including the UK Police and Action Fraud. We are confident that appropriate legal measures are being pursued, and an investigation is underway to hold accountable those responsible for these illegal actions. Additionally, the Disciplinary Committee has been tasked with rigorously investigating these breaches and ensuring that justice is served in accordance with NIDO Europe’s constitutional and procedural standards,” the statement revealed.
NIDOE made it clear that the UK Royal Courts have issued multiple injunctions affirming the legality and authority of NIDO Europe’s current leadership, under the stewardship of Cllr. Harold Ogunfemi. These courts have consistently dismissed all challenges brought forward by the so-called “Caretaker Committee” in various chapters across Europe, further reaffirming the legitimacy of NIDO Europe. The rulings of the UK courts confirm that NIDO Europe remains the duly constituted entity with the rightful authority to govern and represent the diaspora.
“In light of these ongoing challenges, we strongly advise all members to refrain from using any unofficial or impersonated platforms, including the compromised portal, for the validation of information or organizational updates. For any official information, confirmation, or clarification, we urge you to consult directly with the General Secretary or the Public Relations Officer.
“As an organization, we remain unwavering in our commitment to transparency, constitutional integrity, and the rule of law. NIDO Europe is a unified and legitimate entity, governed by a constitution that ensures the proper conduct of our affairs. Any actions that threaten this framework will be met with the utmost seriousness, and we will pursue all available legal and constitutional remedies to protect the integrity of our organization.”
NIDOE reassured members of peace and unity in the organisation. “During this challenging period, it is essential that we remain vigilant, united, and steadfast in upholding the values and principles that have guided NIDO Europe. We deeply appreciate your continued support and trust, and we will keep you informed of any significant developments as they arise.”
The statement also revealed that the leadership of NIDOE under the Continental Executive Council has reported the fraud to the Metropolitan Police: Action Fraud-National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre with case reference number: NFRC241106997683 and Certain people of interest are currently being invited to help the police with their investigation and members shall be briefed on the outcome of the criminal investigation.
