Notice: Please do not copy the information herein.
Cafeafricana is no longer affiliated with Debo Kotun, Labalabamedia, Labalabarediffusion Theatre, and the Courtyard.
To: This is an open letter to all investors of Labalaba Media, LLC and Rediffusion Theatre
Date: August 14, 2008
From: Donna Martin
Subject: Misappropriation of Funds and possible illegal practices
This letter is being sent to you as an investor of the above stated organizations. I have also invested in said companies. I have worked for Mr. Debo Kotun, at his request, on several of his projects for the past two years. This includes, Nobel Idea, a Peace and Conflict Resolution Center for Nigeria , a Waste Management program for Nigeria , most recently a Porta-Potty project. I helped to edit a book written by a student of El Amin School in Nigeria. I have accompanied Mr. Kotun to Nigeria on two occasions, July of 2007 for the book launching of the book I helped to edit "Pieces of Me" which was written by the above mentioned student. Also, I accompanied him this past July 2008 to meet with General Babangida to solicit funding for the Peace and Resolution center. I also met with General Babangida in 2007. For the past year I have seen business activities that I began to question. Since my return to the US I have come upon evidence that is irrefutable, I believe Mr. Kotun is not an honest man. During this past year you may have been contacted by Funmi Tofowomo, if you were, I want to verify that what she said is the truth.
Upon being evicted from his apartment in Arcadia , I invited Mr. Kotun to live my home since we had been keeping company for the past two years. During April, May, June, 2008, he lived in my home and during this time he received a $10,000 grant to interview new African immigrants in the Los Angeles area. Mr. Kotun spent all money received from this grant on his personal business. If any one doubts this statement, his bank records should be easily subpoenaed.
I realize you probably have no idea who I am and are shocked and surprised by this statement. Certainly you are wondering why I would contact you with such hard to believe information. My motivation is to stop Mr. Kotun from hurting anyone else, and taking money from them. I have corroboration from another person who has suffered at the cruel hands of Mr. Kotun as I have. I have been told "walk away" cut your loses and just walk away. If I did that I would always wonder if I could have stopped someone else from being hurt. I have known Mr. Kotun for 20 years and believed him to be what he represented himself to be. He is not. He tells everyone that he wants to save the world, whilst he has his hands in the pockets of vulnerable women who are kind and want to help him.
I write this letter to warn you that you probably won't get your investment back. But, perhaps by putting him on notice, as I have also sent this email to him, he will try to prove me wrong and pay back all the money he owes. Perhaps he will apologize for his lies and the emotional pain he has inflicted on others. And return the laptop computer I loaned him. This letter is to expose him for what he is and for what he has done. I can now walk away from this nightmare of the past two years with a clear conscience that I have warned you and hopefully stop him from using and emotionally abusing anyone else.
Donna Martin
Note: Mr. Debo Kotun charged my family $5000 per share of Labalabamedia LLC. The Security and Exchange Commission indicated that the shares that we purchased from Mr. Debo Kotun were not registered with SEC.
Debo Kotun Profiled by The Guardian Newspaper in Nigeria March 6, 2010
On Saturday, March 6, 2010, Anote Ajeluorou of The Guardian Newspaper in Nigerian interviewed Mr. Debo Kotun.
The article introduced Mr. Debo Kotun as "Prof. Debo Kotun, a Communications Scholar." The Guardian Newspaper in Nigeria is hereby advised to ask Mr. Debo Kotun to provide his educational degree, and his employment history in academia, that qualify him as a "Professor and a Communications Scholar."
Mr. Anote Ajeluoron was contacted regarding his interview with Mr. Debo Kotun, and the issue presented above. As of July 31, 2010, Mr. Anote Ajeluoron failed to respond to my request for clarification.
Title of the article: 'Human And Capital Flight Are Threats to Africa's Development
Here is Anote's introduction of Mr. Debo Kotun in The Guardian Newspaper in Nigeria:
"Knowing where the rain started beating us and where it stopped as pointers to Africa's development crises" is Prof. Chinua Achebe's famous thesis. But Communications scholar, Prof. Debo Kotun takes the discourse further in his analysis of the ills plaguing the African continent today, especially Nigeria. He argues that Africa lost the ideological battle when she decided to abandon her provincial languages for those of her visitors, who promptly militarised the continent and made democracy impossible. He is also of the view that those who reside in America and Europe, who continue to rule the continent through multinationals. He spoke with ANOTE AJELUOROU recently. Excerpts:
Anote's reply to my inquiry: August 14, 2010
Hi, so sorry not to have responded earlier. Regarding the interview with Debo Kotun, an oba recommended him to me because of his book 'Abiku' on the problems plaguing the country encapsulated in the book with abiku as metaphor, which I'm sure you're aware. And he spoke very brilliantly about issues posed to him. I've never been to the U.S. to know he is what you say he is, and since our conversation wasn't about such things, and since The Guardian has no other business with him after the interview, I didn't feel compelled to be drawn to the argument.
As to the misinformation about his status, I'm not in luck getting across to him for comments. It seems he is out of the country as he said he would some time ago. So, there... And, thanks immensely for your concern about the reputation of our paper. -Anote
It is very disheartening that Anote failed to conduct a proper background check on Mr. Kotun, before presenting him as an expert on Human and Capital Flight in Africa's Development.
Debo Kotun claimed to be the grandson of a former Prime Minister of Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa: Read the article from Sun Sentinel Newspaper:
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1999-05-12/community/9905120268_1_perfect-world-nigeria-abiku
NORTH LAUDERDALE - — - Debo Kotun was born with a bounty on his head.
"Do you see the scars on my face?" Kotun, 50, asked a crowd of 60 North Lauderdale Academy High School students gathered at the Crossfire Youth Center on Friday.
"I was marked by a babalowow [a spiritual diviner] so that I could not return to my perfect world. You never know how angry that made me," he said.
According to beliefs of the Yoruba tribe, Kotun is an abiku or "child that was born to die." The Nigeria native was at the center, at 987-71 SW 71st Ave., to promote his new book of the same name.
Kotun, who lives in North Lauderdale, spoke to students and parents. His 15-year-old son, whose childhood photo adorns the book's cover, is a sophomore at the school.
"It's great to have a local resource we can tap into," said history teacher Larry Berkowitz. "Debo is not just an author, but he's someone who knows about Africa's struggle firsthand."
Abiku is largely a political satire set against Nigeria's present political landscape. It tells the story of the relationship between peers Segun Sakara and Ola Ademola, and their eventual life-and-death encounter that mirrors the country's struggles.
"Ninety-nine percent of the story is factual history," said Kotun. "But some of the names have been changed so that I can tell you the true facts," and avoid censure from Nigeria's government officials.
Since his book was published in 1995, Kotun, the grandson of a former Nigerian prime minister, has been "officially told not to go back."
Kotun said many Nigerians are incensed and astounded that he would tell the secrets from the world abikus are said to inhabit. However, reactions from Americans have been favorable, he said.
Yoruban lore holds that one's abiku status is determined at birth, if the birth follows the death of a close relative. A spiritual leader must also confirm the child's status as a divine messenger. Kotun met both criteria.
"The children must return to their world [in other words, die] by the age of two, or else they are trapped here on Earth," said Kotun. But reportedly because of their inherent wisdom and beauty, many parents scar their abiku children to make them imperfect, and therefore unsuitable to die and return to a perfect world.
Kotun may be trapped on Earth, but he still has designs on achieving the ultimate reality.
"I want to win the Nobel Prize for literature," he said.
Police Report when Mr. Kotun made a false statement to the 911 operator.
The police report above indicated that Mr. Debo Kotun made a false statement to the 911 operator in order to get me killed by proxy. The police department dispatched six police officers to the scene, and all the officers pointed their guns at me. I was body searched by the police officers for hours (this was a humiliating experience for me). At one point during the search, one of the police officers instructed me to untie my ankara head wrap, in order to search for the alleged gun that Mr. Kotun claimed was in my possession. Further, I was instructed by the police officers to sit on the side walk, with my arms behind me for the duration of the search, which was approximately two hours. After the search, the police officers were glad that I cooperated with them during the procedure. If not, I would not be alive to narrate my story. I was traumatized by this ordeal. Afterwards, the police officers informed me that Mr. Kotun claimed to be a business executive, and that he was building a center for a former President of Nigeria. I was not surprised by this revelation by the police officers, because Mr. Kotun told some of the investors that a $5 million dollars contract was approved for him to build a Peace and Conflict Resolution Center in Nigeria. The police officers finally advised me to collect all my information regarding my investment in the so-called Labalaba Media, and that they will forward the information to the local District Attorney's office for prosecution. However, shortly, Mr. Kotun went back to Nigeria and failed to return to the United States of America.
The purpose of posting this information is to alert Mr. Kotun to seek professional help for whatever is ailing him. And, also to warn others about Mr. Kotun's disposition, and his tendency for violent behavior. He has no remorse, or conscience about his behavior. I would never forget the horrific stare in his eyes, when he aimed to hit my head with the golf club. When I saw him coming with the golf club, I was totally paralyzed with shock that I couldn't move. However, my instinct told me to run. I'm glad that I did run away from him. He was full of rage trying to hit my head with the golf club. When I ran away from him, Mr. Kotun hit a big tree with the golf club, and a huge broken piece of the tree fell on the ground from the impact. He is a very dangerous man.
The most chilling aspect of my encounter with Mr. Debo Kotun was the fact that he blamed all his victims for his shortcomings. He blamed his inaccurate statements to the police officers because I showed up at his residence, which upset his daily routine.
The information therein is a form of intervention for Mr. Kotun. I hope he will sincerely apologize to his victims, and the people that trusted him with their life savings. It is never too late for him to make amends and ask for forgiveness.
Please, conduct a thorough and proper Due Diligence, if you are going to invest your money with anyone.
Updates: 2010
Mr. Kotun claimed to conduct workshops and seminars for Nigerian civil servants at ASCON in Badagry. He bragged to everyone that his friend (Oba Kabiyesi of Badagry) recommended him for the position. No one conducted due diligence about his academic background.
Updates: June 2011
http://ng.linkedin.com/pub/debo-kotun/29/720/713
Mr. Debo Kotun claimed to be an Editor for Nepotist Press in Nigeria, with experience in Writing and Editing Industry.
Caveat Emptor: The only book that he published was titled "Pieces of Me". The book was referenced by Ms. Donna in the above memo to all the investors of the so-called Labalaba Media. According to the parents of the minor (a student at El Amin Secondary School in Nigeria at the time), Mr. Debo Kotun requested advance payment for the printing of the book. He informed the parents of the minor to pay for editing, printing and publicity of the book. The parents of the minor refused to pay him. However, Mr. Kotun was able to source funds from some of the investors, and utilized Kinkos to print the book. The investors were never reimbursed.
Updates on Debo Kotun: September 2011
On September 1, 2011 @ 7:56:46 p.m., Mr. Kotun left a voice message on my mobile phone stating:
Trascript of the voice message:
Notes: Mr. Debo Kotun was informed of this website page since its inception one year ago. His reply was "I don't f*** care what you posted on the web about me." "You were stupid to give me that much more money without a lawyer to represent you."
"Hello Funmi, this is Debo calling from Nigeria. I'm just gonna tell you something basic. You need to get a lawyer. I've been on the Internet all day. Get your self a good lawyer, bye."
I reminded Mr. Kotun that he was fully aware of this website page that detailed his deviancy since its inception. Then, I replied to Mr. Kotun that no one is defaming him in any shape or form. He was the one that charged $5000 per share of Labalaba Media to all the investors, claimed to be a Prof. and a Communications Scholar during his interview with The Guardian Newspaper in Nigeria. He also claimed to be the grandson of a former Prime Minister of Nigeria during his interview with a Newspaper in Florida, he listed his profession as a doctor in his mother's burial announcement, and a Psychologist/Fulani man with Sentinel Newspaper in Los Angeles. I advised him to return the rest of my money as soon as possible, instead of wasting his time and "money" to retain a lawyer against me. Further, I informed him that he would have to come back to the USA in order to sue me, and that the other investors are waiting for him. Mr. Kotun refused to take responsibility for all his actions.
This is shameful, laughable, and pathetic for a 63 year old man who claimed to study at University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Yale University, The New School of Social Research and John Hopkins University. The most disturbing factor is the fact that Mr. Kotun again misrepresented himself as a "Professor and a Communications Scholar" to the Guardian Newspaper in Nigeria in 2010 after he left Los Angeles in 2008. When is Mr. Kotun going to stop lying about his accomplishments? What are his motives for lying about his credentials to The Guardian Newspaper in Nigeria? The answer is to create an impressive image of himself to potential victims. He is constantly name dropping, and has an exaggerated sense of self.
Modus Operandi:
He always mingle with medical doctors, lawyers, writers, artists, and prominent people for credibility. Trust me, these people have no clue who the real Debo Kotun is. And, most importantly he proclaimed himself as a well established author, whose book is used by over 50 professors, and several Universities in African Studies Department worldwide. This book was self published by him, and its relevance to African Studies is null.
Please, don't give him your money for investment. He is always looking for people to invest in many of his so-called "projects" It is all a mirage. I guarantee you that you will lose your money. Run, don't walk. I lost thousands of dollars because no one warned me about Mr. Kotun. I'm using this web page as an avenue to warn others not to become a victim. This is not about slander or defamation of character. Mr. Kotun wreaked havoc into my/others bank accounts, credit cards cash advance, loans from the bank/friends/relatives, and most importantly, funds from my family's savings account to invest in his so-called companies.
This web page about Mr. Kotun presents verifiable facts, not conjectures.
Again, Mr. Debo Kotun has no sense of responsibility, no conscience, no remorse and no empathy for anyone. He is a soul without a footprint. He is evil personified.
Please, don't be a victim. Run, don't walk.
Anyone with a current address for Mr. Debo Kotun should contact us at funmitof@aol.com
Thank you.
Member Los Angeles Press Club