Bashir Hadejia, nicknamed ‘Villa boy,’ is a Nigerian whose profile has dramatically shifted from a relatively unknown figure to a subject of intense public scrutiny due to serious allegations involving criminal activities.
While specific details about his early life and education remain sparse, Hadejia rose to prominence primarily through his political associations and business dealings.
Political career and connections
Hadejia’s political career is closely tied to his former role as a special adviser to Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State and currently the minister of state for defence.
During Matawalle’s governorship, Hadejia was involved in several high-profile activities, which boosted his visibility in political circles.
Notably, he was part of the delegation that presented gold bars mined in Zamfara to then-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, a gesture that symbolised the state’s contribution to the national economy through artisanal gold mining.
“President Muhammadu Buhari last night at his residence, the State House, Abuja, received Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Matawalle accompanied by Alhaji Bashir Hadejia. Gov. Matawalle was at the State House to present some gold bars and other precious stones mined in his State. Describe the visuals,” Bashir Ahmad, an aide to Buhari, captioned the photos posted online.
Hadejia’s connections extend beyond Matawalle; he is also known to have close ties with other high-ranking officials in the Nigerian government.
He has been photographed with President Bola Tinubu; Femi Gbajabiamila, President’s chief of staff; Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Mohammed Badaru, the minister of Defence.
Fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1), dedicated a song to Bashir Hadejia in his album, ‘Timeless.’ The song extols Hadejia’s virtues, describing him as a close friend and associate of former Jigawa State governor, now minister of defence, Mohammed Badaru.
These relationships earned him the nickname ‘Villa boy,’ indicating his frequent presence and influence within the Presidential Villa.
Business ventures and allegations
Hadejia is described as a gold bar merchant, with his involvement in the gold trade drawing significant attention.
In a widely circulated video, Hadejia is seen displaying what appears to be a large quantity of gold bars, purportedly from the Central Bank of Libya.
In the 14-second video, he was heard saying, “One tonne, total 24 carats, 1kg. In each box we have 50kg; in total we have one tonne.”
This video, along with other materials, has raised suspicions about his involvement in illegal activities, including the smuggling of gold and other contraband.
The controversy surrounding Hadejia reached a peak with his arrest on August 12, 2024. The arrest was conducted by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) under allegations of “treason and subversion against the state.”
The charges against him include: gun-running, possession of stolen gold bars, and links to cross-border criminal syndicates.
He was also accused of sponsoring protests like #EndBadGovernance, which led to violence in the North.
His arrest has led to widespread speculation and concern, particularly given his close associations with prominent government figures.
Public reactions
The arrest of Hadejia has sparked a mixed reaction from the public and political commentators alike. Many Nigerians have expressed outrage and demanded transparency from the authorities regarding the true nature of the charges against him.
On social media, photos and videos of Hadejia with influential politicians and celebrities have fueled discussions about the extent of his connections and the implications of his arrest.
“The same Bashir Hadeja who was arrested for allegedly stealing of gold bars from Libya’s central bank and funding terrorists in Northern Nigeria was the one who accompanied our current minister of defence, while he was the governor of Zamfara to show President Muhammadu Buhari Zamfara Gold.
“Do you know how close one has to be to a governor for him to escort him to see the president?” Imran Wakili, an X user, said.
“The story of Bashir Hadeja does not add up, this guy had so much access to the high and might in this country. I don’t know what to believe again in Nigeria,” an X user, Emma Umeh, said.
“Again, if they explain this country for you and you understand, they didn’t explain it better,” Sulaiman Gafar, another X user, said.
Conversely, some individuals, including a journalist based in New York, Jackson Ude, have suggested that Hadejia’s arrest might be the result of a personal vendetta between him and his former boss, Bello Matawalle.
Ude claimed that Hadejia was being persecuted for reasons unrelated to the official charges, framing the situation as a fallout between two former allies.
“It is not a case of treason, terrorism or stolen Gold bars. This is just a war of two former friends with one who is in government using his position to intimidate the other,” he added.
As of now, Hadejia remains in custody, as confirmed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Police Force, with ongoing investigations expected to shed more light on the allegations against him.
His arrest and the subsequent revelations have placed a spotlight on the connections between business, politics, and criminal activities in Nigeria, raising critical questions about accountability and the rule of law.
Hadejia’s case continues to unfold, and it remains to be seen how the legal process will proceed and what the broader implications will be for the individuals and institutions connected to him.(BusinessDay)
