All is not well with the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) in Ogun State, with two factions trading accusations bordering on forgery and embezzlement. A factional secretary of the association, Kayode Sowunmi, accused another member, who is also a factional chairman of the union, Alhaji Lateef Yekinni of embezzlement.
Attempts by the Yekinni-led faction to start work on the first day of this year after the tenure of Alhaji Shamsudeen Apelogun, (a.k.a. All Rounder), ended was thwarted by the police, who threatened to deal ruthlessly with anyone or group that fomented trouble.
Sowunmi explained that Yekini lost his membership in 2011 when he allegedly embezzled the association’s money, which led to his arraignment and subsequent conviction. But Yekinni denied the allegation saying it was borne out of malice, hatred, injustice, perjury and forgery allegedly committed by the Sowunmi group:
“I am not a thief I did not steal ACOMORAN’s money as being alleged by a faction of the association. They are giving dog bad name in order to kill it. As a pioneer member of ACOMORAN in Ogun State, I am being called bad names, just because of the illegalities being perpetrated by those laying claims to the leadership of the association in the state.’’
He alleged that those who accused him of embezzlement had committed forgery and perjury as they allegedly altered the original certificate of incorporation of ACOMORAN when it was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) many years ago:
“Those who said there is no faction in ACOMORAN in Ogun State are not telling the truth. The faction is not only in Ogun, but also at the national level where two leaders are laying claims to the leadership of our association.
“I remain a member of ACOMORAN in Ogun. Truth will be told one day about ACOMORAN, those who are laying claims to the leadership of association in Ogun State are criminals who will in the near future be dealt with by the long arms of law as they have committed fraud.’’
Yekinni claimed that his faction was in possession of the original certificate of the association, which he said was ‘’altered by power-hungry people, who want to dominate the leadership till God knows when’.
“It is our right to commence work as we have given the notice to the police and other necessary agencies of government. Our members have persevered for long and it is their turn to begin to issue tickets to members.’’
Apelogun debunked allegations by Yekinni: “They are jealous of our achievements in office. As far as we are concerned there is only one ACOMORAN in Ogun State, there is no faction. We are the authentic association, any other one is fake.”
Meanwhile, police authorities warned that they would deal ruthlessly with anyone or group fomenting troubles. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, said: “Anybody or group claiming to be a faction of any of the above mentioned unions with the aim of causing pandemonium in the state will face the full weight of the law.
“The transport unions that passed through the normal legislative procedure and legally recognised in the state are; National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employee Association Of Nigeria (RTEAN), Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association Of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) and Articulated Motorcycle Riders Association Of Nigeria (AMORAN).
The government through the general manager, Parks and Garages, Ayo Ogunsolu, warned against any attempt by the Yekini-led group to disrupt the existing peace in the state. According to him, government recognised only the ACOMORAN led by Apelogun, warning the Yekinni-led faction to stay away from the parks and garages.

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