Folorunsho Alakija's husband suspended for a year for slapping member of Ikoyi Club

IKOYI Club has suspended the husband of billionaire businesswoman Folorunsho Alakija for a year for physically assaulting one of its members after he slapped a member of the club whom he accused of disrespecting him.

Modupe Alakija, 72, the chairman of Famfa Oil, a company founded by his wife, reportedly slapped a member of the club on the premises, leading to a scuffle between and the disruption of peace within the club. Responding to the altercation, the club quickly suspended Mr Alakija until November 30, 2022.

In a communiqué signed by Bamidele Ibironke, the Ikoyi Club secretary, Mr Alakija, a lawyer, was suspended over physical assault and abuse. In addition, a formal letter has been forward to Mr Alakija, containing the details of the offence and sanction.

It read: “The above-named member of the club is hereby placed on a one year suspension for physically assaulting and abusing a fellow member, conduct injurious to the interest of the club, thereby violating Rule 9(C) of the Club’s Rule Book. This suspension takes effect from December 1, 2021 to November 30 2022."

Mr Alakija’s wife is Nigeria’s first female billionaire and the founder of Famfa Oil. She made the Forbes Black Billionaires List for the first time in 2019, with a net worth of $1.1bn.