Senator vows to sue Governor Adeleke over government vehicles’ allegation

Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Adelere Oriolowohas threatened legal action against Governor Ademola Adeleke, for being accused of defamation.

This is through allegations by the Asset Recovery Committee organized by the government that Mr. Orilowo converted five machines belonging to the Osun State Agricultural Development Program for personal use.

The committee also accused former governor Gboyega Oyetola, his wife, Kafayat and some officials who served under the former governor of taking government vehicles worth N3.2 billion after his tenure.

Olawale Rasheed, the spokesman for Governor Adeleke, also called on those concerned to return their vehicles or face the law.

Senator Oriolowo, at a press conference on Tuesday, said the allegations were false.

The lawmaker who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gave the state government seven days to retract the allegations.

He is also seeking N500 million in damages for alleged defamation of his reputation.

“Accordingly, I have instructed my lawyer to write to the State Government asking for a letter of apology within seven (7) days and also to pay five hundred million Naira (N500,000,000) as compensation for the incalculable damage to my name and integrity. ,” he said.

“My lawyer’s letter has been received by the Government on December 30, 2022 and I hope that the Government will track it back, cancel the publication and apologize. Failing that, I will use all the legal means available to me to seek justice.

Mr. Oriolowo said the allegations caused more damage to his reputation, as many people called him on the issue.

“Since its publication, many well-meaning people within and outside the shores of Nigeria have continuously called for clarification and solidarity.”

When the allegations were made earlier, PREMIUM TIMES called and messaged Mr. Oriolowo to respond but he did not respond.

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The lawmaker said the vehicle he was accused of dumping was at the Ministry of Rural Development.

“The equipment that belongs to OSSADEP was there when I left the agency 15 years ago. As far as I know, it was transferred to the Ministry of Rural Development to help the government. A simple investigation by the committee will prove the important fact that the equipment is still in their possession Osun State Government.

Responding to the threat, Mr. Rasheed said the report accusing the senator was from a report from a government agency.

“The first thing to know is that the committee secured all the reports from the agency under oath, the committee got the details from OSSADEP and ORAM under oath that the commissioner took to swear, so the committee did not make the report that was given to the public,” he said.

“The second thing to note is that OSSADEP reported that the machine was moved in 2014 and in the inventory submitted by OSSADEP it shows that the machine is registered in the name of Oriolowo, remember this was sent by OSSADEP under oath,” he said.

“Between the two agencies, OSSADEP in its own inventory record shows that the Senator has the machine. ORAM on the other hand said there is no record, no inventory of the machine. The committee then submitted an interim report that has the committee to return the machine based on the sworn submission by OSSADEP and ORAM, the basis is that the machines belonging to Osun State citizens are lost, the task of the committee to trace and recover the lost assets is the words of the senator against the submission of OSSADEP.

Mr. Rasheed noted that the committee did not hunt the senator but only after recovering the missing vehicle.

“The public must note that the report is an interim report that also leaves room for additional information from the affected people, the additional information will now reflect fully, meaning the final report. The committee is not hunting witches, only after the vehicle has disappeared.