Media personality and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu, has denied claims that he owes a small food business N380,000 for services allegedly rendered during the 2022 presidential campaign.
A staff of Black Diamond Kitchen, Ifeoma Obu, accused Momodu of hiring the Abuja-based business to supply small chops and waiters for a political event in 2022 when he served as Director of Strategic Communications for Atiku Abubakar’s campaign. She said the food was delivered but payment was never made.
In a video shared with the press, Obu appealed for the payment to be made, claiming her boss had instructed her to go public after several failed attempts to recover the money.
“Mr. Dele Momodu contacted us for small chops in 2022. We delivered, but there’s been no payment till today,” she said.
Lending his voice to the matter, Lere Olayinka, an aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said he had personally paid N200,000 out of the debt to support the struggling business. He blamed unpaid debts by influential Nigerians for the collapse of small businesses like *Black Diamond Kitchen*.
According to Olayinka, “The business owner, Samson Ayinde, has lost his food business and his staff has relocated to the village. These debts are killing small enterprises.”
Confirming the situation, Ayinde, owner of the outfit, said all attempts to recover the money from Momodu were ignored. “It was an agreement-based service, and we delivered. I’m just thankful to the good Samaritan who paid part of it,” he said.
However, Dele Momodu strongly denied the allegations, calling them false and insulting.
“The only Black Diamond I know is at Eko Hotels. Anyone saying otherwise is mentally unstable,” he said. “I don’t contract people for food. If they believe I owe them, they should go to court, not try to destroy my name.”
The controversy continues to stir public debate, raising questions about accountability and the treatment of small businesses during political campaigns.