Insanity: The Need for Money

Insanity: The Need for Money

The CEO of Bio chemicals, Alhaji Bature summoned a management meeting on the 30th of November, 2015. The follow up meeting was in relation to the recently published 3rd Quarter management accounts.  Alhaji Bature had sent an application to obtain a loan facility from Bond Bank Nigeria; the facility was needed to finance the expansion of operations across the country. As part of the requirements for the granting of the loan, Bio chemicals financials had to show a favourable financial before the loan could be granted. Alhaji Bature knew that a healthy financial report was impossible because the company had been operating under severe financial constraints coupled with the recession that started in 2015. He needed money badly and he had two options; either to get his accountant at gun point to prepare a healthy financial and management account or to sell his major shareholding in the company to his rival. Alhaji wasn’t interested in chosing the later; he decided to blackmail his accountant to get what he wants. He had his plan set out and no one was going to stop him, not his accountant or the regulatory authorities. Alhaji was ready to shed blood and so he hatched his plan one month earlier, sometime between the 29th and the 31st of October, 2015, meticulously planning how his ultimate objective will be realized.

 

On Thursday the 29th of October 2015, he went to the office of his Chief accountant, Mr. Babajide Quadri (FCA), and after some banter, told Mr. Quadri that he had something important he would like them to discuss over dinner. A gleeful Mr. Quadri told Alhaji Bature that he would be available that evening. Mr. Quadri had never seen Alhaji so pleasant or friendly; he was used to being barked at or growled at, so it was such a surprise to him when Alhaji offered him dinner. That evening, Mr. Quadri was whisked in a limousine to the venue of the dinner. It was a new Thai restaurant on Ajose Adeogu, Victoria Island. He arrived at the venue and the chauffer opened the door for him to alight. He stepped out on to a red carpet that led from the entrance straight to the main dining area. Over at the corner was Alhaji seated with a man waiting for Mr. Quadri to join them.

 

“Hello Quadri, do have a seat”, said Alhaji, “Meet Mr. Chukwuma, the Director of Loans at Bond Bank”, he continued. “Oh, good evening Sir, pleased to meet you, how is work Sir?” “ Work is fine, we thank God”, said Mr. Chukwuma. Alhaji Bature, gestured towards the waiter before saying, “…gentlemen, let’s have a good time before we talk business.” The three men made their orders before Mr. Chukwuma started a bizarre discussion. “Have you been reading the papers lately?”, he said. “There is a rumour circulating that our dear governor, Senator Bamgbose, has been cloned”. He continued, “In fact some people have said that the real governor, is dead and that he is being impersonated by a doppelgänger”. “That must be one of the most ridiculous piece of news item I have heard in decades”, said Alhaji. “Well, I don’t believe that either, such things don’t exist…doppelgängers or whatever you chose to call them” Alhaji continued. Mr. Chukwuma said he believed in such a possibility that everybody had a doppelgänger. Mr. Quadri remained silent all through, when asked about his opinion, he said that he was a religious man and so didn’t believe in such nonsense.

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Teo-Inspiro International is a media production company that is changing the narrative by empowering young people with digital skills to showcase the beauty of Africa. We provide photography and video coverage for events, produce films and documentaries that tell the African story and organize training programs on camera handling.

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