RAZAQ OKOYA’S FAMILY SAYS ESTRANGED SON STILL RECEIVES FINANCIAL SUPPORT
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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
The family of billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya has rejected claims by his estranged son, Fatai, regarding their decades-long separation, insisting that he continues to receive financial assistance from his father.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Senior Public Relations Manager of Eleganza Industry Limited, Nathaniel Omeninwan, the family accused Fatai of making private family disagreements public to gain sympathy and undermine other members of the family.
While Fatai identified himself as Okoya’s first child in his recent appeal, the family maintained that he was the businessman’s third child.
Fatai had recently appealed to his father for forgiveness after about 40 years of estrangement, recounting a dispute over money and his decision to marry a woman his father reportedly disapproved of.
However, the family said the rift between father and son began long before Okoya married his wife, Shade, adding that Fatai had stopped visiting his father following their disagreement.
The statement also noted that Okoya had repeatedly declared publicly that any of his children who refused to respect, appreciate and comply with his wishes would have to cater for themselves.
Despite the disagreement, the family insisted that Fatai had received substantial support from his father over the years and continued to benefit from his assistance.
“Fatai Okoya has benefited immensely from his father and continues to benefit to date. He lives in, and has been given, four flats by his father in Ogunlana Surulere, and has at times been receiving payment for his medical bills,” the statement said.
The family further disclosed that four influential friends intervened in the dispute more than 40 years ago during an overnight meeting, following which Okoya reportedly agreed to meet Fatai’s requests.
It also offered a different account of Fatai’s encounter with Shade during a medical outreach organised to commemorate Okoya’s 86th birthday.
Fatai had alleged that he attended the celebration but was prevented from approaching his father.
However, the family said Shade was introduced to Fatai during the medical outreach, after which another family member advised him against discussing his grievances with his father at the event.
According to the statement, Fatai accepted the advice and left the venue. The family added that Shade exchanged pleasantries with him during the encounter, which was witnessed by several guests.
The family said it preferred to keep its private disagreements away from social media and appealed to the public and media organisations to respect its privacy.
“No misunderstanding can be settled online,” the statement said, adding that any family member with grievances against Okoya should seek a resolution privately through established family channels.
In his earlier appeal, Fatai said he had spent 40 years attempting to reconcile with his father, pleading for forgiveness and another opportunity to rebuild their relationship.
He also disclosed that his daughter wanted to establish a relationship with her grandfather and appealed to people close to the businessman to help facilitate their reunion.
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