NCAN leadership tussle: Adesokan faults Ajanaku's claims insists court ruling nullifies actions

Ademola Adesokan, national president, Nation Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN, has said former president Ojo Ajanaku lacks the legal authority to expel members or suspend the Board of Trustees, describing such actions as invalid and contrary to a subsisting court judgment.

Businessday recalls that on Monday, Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, the subsisting President of NCAN, had called for the suspension of Irezondu Sunny Stevenson (Chairman, BOT) and Abraham Adesida (Secretary, BOT) over anti-associations activities, and also the non-recognition of Ademola Adesokan as a member, having been suspended in January.

However, Adesokan, who emerged president at the association’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos on January 20, 2026, said Ajanaku’s tenure expired in November 2022 in line with the association’s 2007 constitution, which provides for a single three-year term.

He stated that a person whose tenure has expired cannot exercise disciplinary powers over members or trustees.

“Ajanaku has no authority to expel me or suspend the BoT leadership. His tenure has long ended, and any such actions are invalid,” he said.

Adesokan anchored his position on a Consent Judgment delivered by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on November 9, 2019, which directed the association to revert to its 2007 constitution and affirmed that Ajanaku’s tenure, alongside his executive council, ended in November 2022.

“You cannot override a court judgment with a press conference or meeting resolution. Authority in NCAN comes from law and structure, not claims,” he added, urging Ajanaku to respect the rule of law and avoid actions capable of misleading stakeholders.

On the Board of Trustees, Adesokan dismissed claims that the board had been expanded to eleven members, describing the assertion as inconsistent with official records.

He said records from the Corporate Affairs Commission; CAC confirm that the association has five legally recognized trustees.

He listed them as Tunji Owoeye, Bode Omoyeni, Sonie Stevenson, Ade Adesida, and Tola Faseru, noting that they remain the duly constituted trustees of the association.

“The Board of Trustees remains as recognized, and any attempt to suspend or replace trustees outside due legal process has no effect,” he said

Adesokan also accused Ajanaku of pursuing personal interests rather than the development of the industry, alleging that the former president extended his stay beyond the legally permitted tenure.

On government intervention, Adesokan said the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment had warned that actions taken in violation of a subsisting court judgment could attract legal consequences.

He said the ministry, in a letter dated April 1, 2026, directed all parties to adhere strictly to the court ruling and raised concerns over Ajanaku’s continued claim to leadership.

According to him, the ministry noted that such claims contradict the legal framework governing the association and risk worsening the leadership crisis.

Adesokan warned that the dispute could negatively impact the cashew sector, stressing that instability and parallel leadership structures could undermine investor confidence and farmer welfare.

He also defended his leadership, citing his experience as a processor and investor in the cashew value chain.

He said his company, Annie Glidden Commodities Nigeria Limited, established in 2022 in Kwara State, has attracted investment and created jobs, particularly for women.

Adesokan added that he holds certifications including Halal, Kosher, and FSSC 22000, noting that the association requires leadership grounded in practical industry experience.

He called for a shift from exporting raw commodities to value addition, in line with national industrial policy and the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Reiterating his position, Adesokan urged Ajanaku to respect the court ruling and desist from actions he described as undermining the association’s legal framework.

“I have certified evidence, both visual and documentary, including correspondence from the ministry directing Ajanaku to stop parading himself as president,” he said.