Senator representing Osun West, Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo has denied the allegations of looting government assets levelled against him by the Assets Recovery Committee set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adeleke had in December called on Oriolowo and other top officials of the last administration and those who served with the former Gov. Rauf Aregbesola to return some equipment which including tractors and bulldozers back to the state.
Sen. Oriolowo reacting to the allegation, during a Press Conference held at Iwo Town, Osun State, on Tuesday, said he never illegally took custody of equipment and machines belonging to the Government of Osun. He described allegation as embarrassing.
“Sometimes in december 2022, the media space was saturated with reports that certain equipment and machines belonging to the government of osun were illegally taken away and in my possession. The report authored by an Assets Recovery Committee of the State set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke indicated that I was in custody of 130GMotoGrader (005132-A321),D6 Bulldozer (OS130-A32), Electric Transformer Feeder Board Panel and Soil Compactor Machine (OS137- A32)” he said.
Oriolowo was the General Manager of the Osun State Agricultural Development Corporation from 2007 to 2013 and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs of Osun from 2013 to 2016 before becoming the Senator representing his Federal Constituency in 2019.
Sen. Oriolowo said the equipment belongs to the then OSSADEP were left in the office when he left the O’RAMP and never took them away.
Speaking further, the lawmaker, who served as Permanent Secretary of ORAMP added that he deserves an apology and compensation from the State Government for the damage caused to his name, reputation and legacy.
“I’ve instructed my lawyers to write to the State Government demanding a letter of apology within seven days and to also pay the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira as compensation for the unquantifiable damage done to my name and integrity”.
“My lawyer’s letter has been received by the Government on the 30th December, 2022 and it is my hope that this Government will retrace its steps, retract the publication and apologize to me. Failure in which, I will use all legal means available to me to get justice” he stated.
He added that he was not invited by the committee, no call, no message or letter before the publication of the reports and it’s a bit embarrassing for Gov. Adeleke who happens to be a former lawmaker.
“I was taken aback as to why a committee of the State would jettison the principle of fair hearing by inviting me to defend whatever report they must have gotten. I also reliably gathered that this said committee failed to submit their report to their principal before going to the public to malign my name” he said.
“Since the publication, many well- meaning people within and outside the shores of Nigeria have continuously reached out to him for clarification and solidarity” he said.
He urged Governor Adeleke to show the people what he and his administration are capable of doing, so that the people will not regret puting them in Power.
