July 04, (THEWILL) – Best friends and business partners, Armani Boniface Odenigbo and Sunbo, who co-own the popular Buzz Bar in Victoria Island, Lagos, are currently guests of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged fraud.
A large team of EFCC operatives picked up both men without warning on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at about 3pm in the Oniru area of Lagos where they both live. The operatives, who came prepared in the event of any resistance, also raided the duo’s garages and removed every single luxury car, probably to be used as exhibits when they go on trial. These cars include but are not limited to a white Bentley Bentagya, two white Lexus 570 Sport Utility Vehicles, two black and white S Class Mercedes Benz saloon cars, a Mercedes Benz G Wagon, etc.
Armani and Sunbo, who are best of friends, are fingered in a $35 million dollar fraud and it is alleged that one of their partners in the United States gave them out to the FBI. Unknown to them, they had been under surveillance for a while, with EFCC operatives happily documenting their lavish lifestyle which they flaunted on social media.
Unlike his easy going and quiet partner, Sunbo, who is married to Tania Omotayo, a fashion designer and an ex-girlfriend of music star, Wizkid, is on the loud side. He is one of the real big spenders in the Lekki area of Lagos and a darling to male clothiers as he doesn’t spare anything when it comes to updating his wardrobe with designer clothes. He also runs several businesses besides co-owning Buzz bar. With EFCC operatives looking to impress their new boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, who has since read them the riot act on stepping up on their anti-corruption drive, it is obvious that Armani and Sunbo are as good as minced meat. It is rumoured that the duo have allegedly reached out to one of their mentors, House of representative member, Shina Peller, who owns Quilox Nightclub to intervene. But being a member of the ruling APC and, with their anti-corruption mantra, it is doubtful that he would want to stick out his neck for them. We wait to see how things turn out.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
