Azibaola Robert
{{Infobox person
| name = Azibaola Robert
| image = Azibaola Robert portrait 2.jpeg
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|02|13}}
| birth_place = Bayelsa State
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| nationality = Nigerian
| education = Rivers State University
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| occupation = Entrepreneur, Lawyer, human rights and environmental advocate.
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| known_for = Environmental advocate
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| awards = Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards
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Azibaola Robert, (born 13 February 1969){{Cite web |last=Bankole |first=Idowu |date=2022-05-20 |title=[Vanguard Awards] Azibaola Robert: Lawyer with engineer’s DNA paves way for Nigeria’s dream vehicles |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/05/azibaola-robert-lawyer-with-engineers-dna-paves-way-for-nigerias-dream-vehicles/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} is a Nigerian entrepreneur,{{Cite web |date=2022-06-26 |title=Robert Azibaola: Saving Bayelsa’s rainforests |url=https://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/newsfeature/robert-azibaola-saving-bayelsas-rainforests/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), industrialist, lawyer, human and environmental rights advocate,{{Cite web |last=Africa |first=Ventures |date=2022-07-28 |title=Environmentalist Azibaola Robert calls for the protection of wildlife and climate change |url=https://venturesafrica.com/environmentalist-azibaola-robert-calls-for-the-protection-of-wildlife-and-climate-change/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=Ventures Africa |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-01 |title=New Year: Azibaola Robert eulogises ex-President Jonathan |url=https://punchng.com/new-year-azibaola-robert-eulogises-ex-president-jonathan/ |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} founder of Zeetin Engineering Limited, managing director of Kakatar Group, Executive Vice President Preheat Energy,{{Cite web |last=Udonquak |first=Aniefiok |date=2024-04-25 |title=Jonathan, investors open talks with A/Ibom on gas utilisation |url=https://businessday.ng/news/article/jonathan-investors-open-talks-with-a-ibom-on-gas-utilisation/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} advocate of Tug of War and a receiver of Vanguard Personality award of the year.{{Cite web |last=Nwafor |date=2022-02-27 |title=Vanguard’s award means a lot to us as a company- Azibaola Robert, ZEETIN founder |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/02/vanguards-award-means-a-lot-to-us-as-a-company-azibaola-robert-zeetin-founder-2/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Robert Azibaola - Daily Trust - Latest News in Nigeria and the World |url=https://dailytrust.com/tag/robert-azibaola/ |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=Daily Trust |language=en-GB}} Robert studied law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, (now Rivers State University) and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1995.
Early life and career
Robert, was born on 13 February 1969 in the Otakeme community, Bayelsa, in 1969.{{Cite web |title=Azibaola Robert: from Lawyer to Inventor – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/09/18/azibaola-robert-from-lawyer-to-inventor/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}} He studied law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology before he was called to the Nigerian bar in 1995.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-04 |title=Azibaola becomes fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers |url=https://guardian.ng/appointments/azibaola-becomes-fellow-of-nigeria-society-of-engineers/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} In 1999, Robert founded Mangrovetech Limited, a civil engineering company that metamorphosed into Kakatar.{{Cite web |last=Rapheal |date=2022-06-04 |title=Robert Azibaola, Chairman, Kakatar Group Limited: Why I want to produce first Nigerian excavator |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/robert-azibaola-chairman-kakatar-group-limited-why-i-want-to-produce-first-nigerian-excavator/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-us}} In 2018, Azibaola founded Zeetin Engineering to produce high-end technology and heavy-duty equipment to produce the first electrical automobile in Nigeria.{{Cite web |last=Rapheal |date=2021-09-06 |title=Azibaola Robert: From Bar to electric car manufacturing |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/azibaola-robert-from-bar-to-electric-car-manufacturing/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-us}} Later, the Nigerian Society of Engineers conferred on him a Fellow of the society.{{Cite web |title=Why NSE Honoured Azibaola Robert – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/12/18/why-nse-honoured-azibaola-robert/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}} In 2021, he initiated a campaign to preserve rainforests and their wildlife in his country.{{Cite web|date= |title=Impact of non-renewable energy on health and the ecosystem |url=https://www.ippmedia.com/en/features/impact-non-renewable-energy-health-and-ecosystem |access-date=19 July 2022 |website=IPPMedia}} He led the Niger Delta Human and Environmental Rescue Organisation (ND-HERO) to advocate peace and environmental justice in the Niger Delta region. As of 1993, Robert served as the NANS vice president. He is a cousin to Goodluck Jonathan, former president of the federal republic of Nigeria.{{Cite web |title=Jonathan’s Cousin Opens Defence in Alleged $40m Fraud Suit – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/10/17/jonathans-cousin-opens-defence-in-alleged-40m-fraud-suit/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}.Robert is an advocate of the re-inclusion of Tug of War into major events like the Olympic games and believes the game can serve as a panacea to save the world from the consequences of climate change. He organized the game at Ogbia Local Government area at Bayelsa State, South South, Nigeria{{Cite web |last=Editor_01 |date=2024-01-05 |title=Azibaola Using Tug-Of-War Game to Preach Climate Change |url=https://dailyasset.ng/azibaola-using-tug-of-war-game-to-preach-climate-change/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Daily Asset Online |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Telegraph |first=New |date=2024-01-04 |title=Re-Introduce Tug Of War Into Olympic Games, Robert Azibaola Advocates - New Telegraph |url=https://newtelegraphng.com/re-introduce-tug-of-war-into-olympic-games-robert-azibaola-advocates/ |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=newtelegraphng.com |language=en-US}} In June 2025, Azibaola Robert was reported to be directly involved in construction work on his residence in Abuja. A photograph published by Vanguard showed him plastering a section of the building himself. According to the report, he stated that the construction site also served as a training space for secondary and university students interested in practical building skills.{{Cite web |last=Wahab |first=Akinbayo |date=2025-06-08 |title=Nigerian billionaire Azibaola Robert spotted building his mansion himself |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/06/nigerian-billionaire-azibaola-robert-spotted-building-his-mansion-himself/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}
Adventure into the Niger-delta forest
File:Azibaola rescued a Nile Monitor Lizard during his 14 Days Expedition into Deep Forest.jpg
Azibaola underwent a 14 days expedition into one of the Niger Delta deep forests, with his team aimed at showcasing the nature documentary, preservation, and impact of climate change on the entity as a result of the adverse environmental practices, by the inhabitants of the region by seeking collaboration with the ecological enthusiasts, government, and mission-aligned organizations. The two hour documentary-film series highlighted the story of his people and living in the creek. The adventure was a journey of 25 kilometers, from human civilization, while the team covered over 400 kilometers to explore the forest.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-26 |title=Robert Azibaola: Saving Bayelsa’s rainforests |url=https://guardian.ng/sunday-magazine/newsfeature/robert-azibaola-saving-bayelsas-rainforests/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Azibaola Robert’s Expedition into Niger Delta Forests – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/06/11/azibaola-roberts-expedition-into-niger-delta-forests/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}}
Controversies
In 2016, Robert, and his company, One Plus Holding Limited faced charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly receiving $40 million from the Office of the former National Security Adviser [NSA], Col. Sambo Dasuki and converting same for personal use.{{Cite web |title=Azibaola Robert: Arrest, Detention, Trial and Exoneration - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/04/22/azibaola-robert-arrest-detention-trial-and-exoneration |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}} However, he was later discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court in Abuja.{{Cite web |last=Yahaya |first=Halimah |date=2019-05-27 |title=Court acquits ex-President Jonathan’s cousin of $40 million fraud |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/331874-breaking-court-acquits-ex-president-jonathans-cousin-over-40-million-fraud.html |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Ajiri |date=2019-03-28 |title=Alleged $40m fraud: Azibola, Jonathan’s cousin knows fate May 27 |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/alleged-40m-fraud-azibola-jonathans-cousin-knows-fate-may-27/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-us}}
The case began on June 7, 2016, with Robert and his wife being prosecuted and granted bail of N500million, after they pleading not guilty.{{Cite web |last=Ajibola |first=Akinola |date=March 29, 2019 |title=Alleged $40m Fraud: Jonathan’s Cousin To Know Fate On May 27 |url=https://www.channelstv.com/2019/03/29/alleged-40m-fraud-jonathans-cousin-to-know-fate-on-may-27 |website=Channels TV}} The prosecution presented ten witnesses and various documents to support their case by January 23, 2017. On March 18, 2018, Robert's counsel filed a no-case submission, resulting in the court dismissing two out of the nine charges against him and excluding his wife from the case.{{Cite web |title=Court acquits ex-President Jonathan’s cousin of $40 million fraud |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/331874-breaking-court-acquits-ex-president-jonathans-cousin-over-40-million-fraud.html?tztc=1. |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=www.premiumtimesng.com}}
According to the Nigerian Tribune, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered the case that the EFCC failed to provide enough evidence for the money laundering charge against him for receiving money from Sambo Mohammed Dasuki without any contract agreement.{{Cite web |last=Online |first=Tribune |date=2019-05-27 |title=Court frees Jonathan's cousin, Azibaola of FG's $40m contract scam charge |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/court-frees-jonathans-cousin-azibaola-of-fgs-40m-contract-scam-charge/ |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}} The case was later transferred to the Nigerian Court of Appeal, where a three-person panel led by Justice Stephen Adah decided that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.{{Cite web |title=Appeal Court upholds ex-President Jonathan cousin’s no-case-submission |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/404853-alleged-40m-fraud-appeal-court-upholds-ex-president-jonathan-cousins-no-case-submission.html |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=www.premiumtimesng.com}}
Awards
External links
- [https://www.azibaola.com/ Official website]