Tension has spread across the business circles of Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola following reports that hackers gained access to the mobile phones of the two prominent businessmen.
Sources close to both men confirmed to TheCable that their phones were compromised within the past week, with the intruders making direct financial demands.
While the phone of Otedola, Chairman of FirstHoldCo Plc, was breached once, Africa’s richest man, Dangote, suffered two separate hacks in just 48 hours.
Although it remains unclear whether the business moguls have regained full control of their devices, insiders say the attackers wasted no time in demanding ransom.
“The hackers are asking for money from both men,” a source familiar with the situation told TheCable.
The nature of the demands, the extent of the data compromised, or whether law enforcement has been alerted is yet to be confirmed as of press time.
Dangote and Otedola, who often refer to each other as “brothers,” have maintained a decades-long friendship and business association.
Otedola recently attended an event where Dangote announced plans to scale up his refinery’s capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million bpd.
Praising Dangote’s ambition, Otedola described him as “Africa’s pride,” noting that the refinery project would shape future generations.
Otedola said, “Aliko’s relentless commitment to investing in Nigeria and Africa will outlive him as these are legacy investments that will define generations.
“Soon, Nigerians will own part of this refinery, a powerful reminder that this vision is not just for Dangote, but for all Nigerians and Africans.”
