The lawmaker representing Osun West Senatorial District, Senator Adelere Oriolowo, has denied allegations claiming that he unlawfully obtained property belonging to the Osun State Government.
Oriolowo called the accusations clear lies, an outright act of recklessness, a sacrilegious omission of the truth, and an unjustified character assassination.
While refuting the accusations in Iwo on Monday, the senator also requested that the State government issue a written apology and pay him 500 million Naira as compensation for the irreparable harm done to his reputation and integrity.
The 130G Motor Grader (005132-A321), D6 Bulldozer (OS130-A32), Electric Transformer Feeder Board Panel, and Soil Compactor Machine were all listed as being in Senator Adeleke Oriolowo’s possession in a report by the Asset Review Committee, which was led by Bashiru Tokunbo Salam (OS137- A32).
The panel, which Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, convened, also demanded that the Senator hand over the aforementioned equipment to the State government or face penalties.
Oriolowo stated that “since the publication, many well-meaning people within and outside the shores of Nigeria have continuously reached out to me for clarification and solidarity.” He claimed that the allegation has done significant damage to his name, reputation, and legacy.
Hw said; “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.
“The said equipment which belongs to the then OSSADEP was in existence when I left the agency 15 years ago. To the best of my knowledge, some of them were transferred to the Ministry of Rural Development to assist the government. A simple due diligence or investigation by the committee would have unraveled the salient fact that the equipment is still property of the Osun State Government.”
While confirming that the Osun State Government had received his letter, Senator Oriolowo stated his hope that action would be done to get the publication retracted and that he would receive an apology.
He further threatened that if they didn’t, he would have no choice but to pursue justice through the judicial system.
He insisted that Governor Adeleke’s choice to surround himself with sycophants rather than follow the rules and get his teething administration off the ground may spell the end for it given that he was a former senator.
