Kola Aluko: From superyachts to tequila shots, the Nigerian dealmaker is writing his boldest comeback script yet.
By Niyi Tabiti Kola Aluko, once the Nigerian oil magnate who sailed the $80 million Galactica Star and bought a Manhattan penthouse in One57, has resurfaced online with a new fixation: tequila. Over the past day, Mr. Aluko has filled his Instagram feed with images of Los 7 Ángeles, a premium brand founded by Jaycee Chan, son of Jackie Chan. The sudden enthusiasm has prompted speculation that he is not only a fan but possibly circling the label as an investor. Neither he nor the company has confirmed a connection. Mr. Aluko’s public image has long been defined by scale. In 2017, U.S. prosecutors alleged he and an associate secured energy deals in Nigeria through bribery and laundered the proceeds into yachts and real estate. The Galactica Star was eventually seized and sold, and authorities announced they had recovered more than $53 million. Mr. Aluko has not been convicted of a crime. Now, tequila appears to be the latest stage for a man who has always favored highly visible platf...