Why Laolu Martins, Bukka Hut Executive Director, Committed Suicide

By Adesina Soyooye

Everybody thought he was doing well. In deed, he was. An upwardly mobile man, he had the world before him, and he grabbed it with two hands.

After years of working in the Coporate world, including 12  years as a banker, Laolu Martins struck out and started his own business.

He and his business partner, Rasheed Jayeola,  co-founded  the Bukka Hut, a high profile restaurant which became an instant hit

Recently, they opened the 15th branch in Ikorodu Lagos.

But in the uncivilised hours of Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Martins decided to end it all. At about 3.00 am when men and women of goodwill were asleep, Martins, allegedly, took his own life.

He, allegedly, committed suicide. And left his family devastated and shattered.

Nobody has been able to put a finger on why he decided to exit the world in a most painful manner. The story out there is that he had been battling with depression.

The family has not confirmed that, but it has confirmed his sudden death, and asked for privacy, in their mourning, and prayers for strength.

Said the family in a statement:

“We hereby solicit the support and understanding of everyone as the family grieves the loss of our beloved Laolu in our privacy.

“Our kind request is that you support the family – wife, children, aged mother and father and his siblings with your prayers at this difficult time.

“Further announcements will be made by the family.”

Martins, a successful man by any standard, was a Chartered stockbroker and a Chartered Accountant. He had a 12-year of experience an  investment banker, corporate banker, stockbroking, asset management and pension fund management.

He began  his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1999, and later joined Investment Banking & Trust Company Plc now Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. There, he  served in the Financial Control and Trade Finance/Foreign Operations units of the Bank and was seconded to Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd. At  various times at Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, Martins was Financial Controller, Head Asset Management and, Head Stockbroking.

In 2005 he  joined Shell Nig. CPFA Ltd, the Fund Manager of the Shell Companies in Nigeria Pensions Scheme. He was Head, Investments up till 2008 when he resigned and joined Nigeria International Security Limited, NISL, an independent financial services firm which  specialises in investments within Nigeria.