The All Progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa has issued an appeal to Nigerians residing in the country, urging them to embrace lawful employment opportunities and refrain from engaging in criminal activities and illegal behavior.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Chairman of APC South Africa, Oluwatoyin Oyekanmi, and obtained by LEADERSHIP, the appeal was prompted by the mismanagement of a company affiliated with the chairman by fellow compatriots last year. Oyekanmi explained that during the specified period, he was actively involved in supporting President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Nigeria.

In detailing the incident, Oyekanmi stated, “On October 2022, at the commencement of then-APC Presidential candidate, now the President and commander of the Nigerian Armed Forces – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Chairman APC South Africa – Hon Oluwatoyin Oyekanmi, entered into a management agreement of its newly built Jollof Cafe Randpark Ridge branch located at Shop 6, Eagle’s Landing shopping centre, with Mrs Anthonia Oriss and her husband, which cost R1.5 million Rand with Naira equivalent being N90 million naira while the chairman was away between Nigeria and South Africa supporting the Nigerian Presidential Campaign.”

He continued, “The couple ran the branch from October 2022 until it was shut down in December 2023 by the centre’s management due to rental indebtedness and mismanagement.”

Oyekanmi highlighted the subsequent investigation conducted by the Police and the company’s board, led by Hon. Oluwatosin Oyekanmi. As part of the investigation, the manager of the closed branch was transferred to a new branch called Jollof Cafe Midrand. On January 5, 2024, during a routine inspection at Jollof Cafe Midrand, the General Manager/Co-founder of the company, Mrs. Olujumoke Oyekanmi, discovered stolen orders worth R5,770 in South African currency and N350,000.00 in Nigerian currency in possession of two suspects, Mrs. Anthonia Oriss and Mrs. Abigail Adeyanju, a chef at the branch.

The South African Police were immediately involved, leading to the arrest and subsequent charges of the accused at the magistrate court in Midrand. Oyekanmi emphasized the commitment to ensuring justice in the Republic of South Africa regarding the case.