Unknown to many, Folorunsho Folarin Coker, one of the top aides of the former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, controls a hospitality empire valued at over N350m.
According to investigation conducted by SocietyGists, the hospitality empire embodies a night club, bar and restaurants, which are situated in highbrow locations and cater for the needs of top citizens and individuals of the Lagos metropolis and Nigeria as a whole.
Outfits of Coker’s multimillion naira hospitality empire are strategically situated in Ikeja GRA, Victoria Island and Ilashe private beach along Lekki-Epe expressway.
The ebullient individual, who hides under the guise of an aide to the outgoing governor, Raji Fashola, began building his empire many years back when he opened a highbrow night club and lounge, La Casa, which was formerly situated on the property that now houses the Civic Centre Towers on Ozumba Mbadiwe road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Investigation conducted also revealed that Folly Coker as the fun loving individual is widely referred to, had begun his empire in the hospitality sector while he worked with the Lagos State governor emeritus, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was gathered that Coker had remained in the Lagos State administration since Tinubu’s administration and is poised to get himself another position as he had been spotted hobnobbing with the new Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.
This move, sources claimed, is to ensure his sustainability in his businesses which is led by the hospitality empire.
Further investigations conducted by SocietyGists shows that Coker’s hospitality empire is responsible for the ownership of the Browns Café on Oduduwa Crescent, Ikeja GRA and Browns Café on Victoria Island.
It was gathered that Coker tries to run the bar and lounges without attracting attention to him as the owner as he shies away from claiming ownership of the businesses because of his political inclination.
Recently, this close ally of Prince Segun Oniru, the former commissioner for Waterfront and Permanent Secretary Lands Bureau, Hakeem Muri Okunola completed the construction of his famous night club, La Casa on Ilashe Private Beach.
Inside sources disclosed that the former Special Adviser to the Governor on Lagos Central Business District expended an estimated N100m in putting finishing touches to the state of art night club.
While the La Casa night club is said to be a private club which is frequently patronized by only top government officials in the Lagos State government, politicians and top Nigerian footballers, Browns Café has become a meeting point and relaxation spot for the top class of the society.
Aside his hospitality empire, Coker is said to also have his hand in the entertainment business.
Coker, who used to be married to Tiffany Amber’s boss, Folake Coker, was fingered as the major shareholder and owner of popular music group, Mavins Records but he denied owning the record company or any of its business.
Another source corroborated Coker’s denial saying just because Prince Segun Oniru had been of immense financial help to D’banj doesn’t necessarily mean he owns DB Records.
However, the Mavins stars have repeatedly enjoyed grace and favours from the man, who was alleged to have personally introduced Di’Ja to Don Jazzy weeks after defunct record label and music clan, Mo’Hits packed up.
Sources in the know even alleged that Coker had facilitated the Mavins’ entrance into the APC campaign team that campaigned for the new governor of Lagos State as well as President of Nigeria.
