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Chibuzor Emejor
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has confirmed, Mr. Ademola Adesokan, as the substantive President of National Cashew Association of Nigeria(NCAN).
Recall that NCAN has been embroiled in leadership tussle between Mr. Ademola Adesokan and Mr. Ojo Ajanaku.
With this recognition of Adesokan by the Federal Government, the protracted leadership crisis rocking NCAN, perhaps, would come to an end.
In a letter dated May 25, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of NCAN, Mr. Inoezindu Sony Stevenson, it conveyed the approval of the Ministry to recognise the election of Mr. Ademola Adesokan, as the substantive Predident of NCAN.
The letter signed by Obasi Edozie Edmund, Director, Commodities and Export Department, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said the confirmation and recognition of Adesokan was sequel to the consent judgement of November 9th, 2019 in Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/439/2016, which affirmed the NCAN Consitution of 2007 and on the strength of which Adesokan’s leadership was elected.
The Federal Government stated that Adesokan’s tenure which took effect from January 20th, 2026 would expire on January 19th, 2029, after his first three year tenure.
The letter, therefore, urged the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and members of the Association to give Adesokan adequate recognition and support in the discharge of his new responsibility.
Adesokan, who emerged as president of NCAN at the Association’s Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on January 20, 2026, has maintained that Ajanaku’s tenure expired in November 2022 in line with NCAN’s 2007 constitution, which provides for a single three-year term.
He described Ajanaku’s continued claim to leadership and recent actions as unlawful and contrary to a subsisting court judgment.
Adesokan anchored his position on a Consent Judgment delivered by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on November 9, 2019, in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/439/2016.
The judgment, delivered by Justice O. A. Musa, directed NCAN to revert to its 2007 constitution and affirmed that Ajanaku’s tenure, along with that of his executive council, ended in November 2022.
End.
