Estranged wife of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, describes the minister’s warning against business dealings with her and her NGO as unwarranted and misleading.
Mrs Susan Lokpobiri, estranged wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has rejected a public notice issued by the minister warning Nigerians and corporate organisations against engaging in business or financial dealings with her and an NGO associated with her.
In a statement issued in response to the notice, Susan described the minister’s action as unwarranted, misleading and unnecessary, insisting that she does not represent her estranged husband and poses no threat to his office or the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
She also disclosed that she had instituted legal proceedings against the minister over an alleged case of bigamy, adding that the matter was currently pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to her, the legal action arose from circumstances surrounding what she described as the minister’s abandonment of his family and his decision to move in with another woman.
Susan expressed surprise that the minister had chosen to issue a public notice against her while the legal dispute remained before the court, rather than allow the judicial process to determine the issues.
She said the development had subjected her and their son, who is a legal practitioner, to unnecessary embarrassment and public scrutiny.
The minister’s estranged wife further maintained that she had no intention of interfering with his official responsibilities or the activities of the ministry.
She also denied benefiting from his ministerial position, stating that she deliberately maintained her independence and continued to pursue her personal interests even after his appointment.
Addressing concerns surrounding the Reaching Every Adult and Child Foundation, Susan described the organisation as a legitimate NGO established to pursue its stated objectives.
She insisted that neither she nor the foundation constituted a threat to any individual, public office or government institution.
She further cautioned against interpreting the minister’s public notice as evidence of wrongdoing on her part or that of the foundation.
Susan urged members of the public, corporate organisations and other relevant stakeholders to disregard what she described as the misleading impression created by the notice and allow the court to determine the issues in dispute.
She reaffirmed her commitment to defending her rights, dignity and reputation through lawful means.
The minister’s public notice and Susan’s response come amid an ongoing marital and legal dispute between the estranged couple.
