Anthony Idigbe Denies Removal as Chairman of Tourist Company of Nigeria, Labels Documents Forged
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Anthony Idigbe, has dismissed reports of his removal as Chairman of the Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc (TCN), describing the claims as false and the supporting documents as forged.
In a statement released through his aide, Philomena Philips, Idigbe stated that the July 22 emergency board meeting referenced in the reports did not include any item related to his removal on the official agenda. He asserted that the meeting focused solely on discussions around a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) forensic audit and matters relating to governance oversight. According to him, the meeting was adjourned after becoming disorderly before any resolutions could be reached.
“The agenda never included any item on my removal. The notice of meeting being circulated is a fabrication and was never authorized by the company secretary,” Idigbe said.
He further alleged that a group of aggrieved shareholders, opposed to SEC directives and recent governance reforms, staged a parallel meeting using forged documentation, including a notice of an Annual General Meeting marked with the word “FAKE” in large red print.
OOT Nominees Limited, which serves as the company secretary, also issued a separate statement distancing itself from the disputed documents. It said it neither amended nor authorized the AGM notice being circulated and confirmed that its signature was used without consent.
Meanwhile, some media reports had earlier indicated that Idigbe was replaced by Erejuwa Gbadebo as the new Chairperson of the board. These reports cited alleged conflicts of interest, stemming from Idigbe’s role in both the board and the company secretary firm, as a basis for the decision.
The controversy comes amid broader tensions surrounding TCN and its parent company, Ikeja Hotel Plc. A forensic audit commissioned by the SEC had previously raised concerns about the company’s governance structure, prompting regulatory interventions and ongoing boardroom disputes.
Idigbe, who was appointed interim chairman in 2017, is credited with helping to revitalize the company, overseeing a significant recovery in share value and stability in operations. He has accused dissenting shareholders of trying to derail regulatory reforms and reverse the progress achieved under his leadership.
No official statement has been released by TCN’s board confirming any formal change in leadership as of the time of filing this report.
