The Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Adelere Oriolowo has demanded an apology and compensation of N500 million from the state government for accusing him of illegal possession of state assets.
According to him, the Osun State government would have to tender a written apology and the above-mentioned amount for the unquantifiable damage done to his name and integrity.
reports that Oriolowo, who was accused by the state government of illegal possession of some state assets described the allegation as a blatant falsehood, a naked display of recklessness, sacrilegious dereliction of truth and unjustifiable character assassination.
The Senator, who denied the allegations in Iwo on Monday disclosed that his request letter has been received by the Osun State government and he hopes the publication of the apology is made soon else they would leave him with no alternative but to resort to legal means to get justice.
recalls that the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, had through the Asset Review Committee headed by Bashiru Tokunbo Salam requested that all former aides of the former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola should return all state assets in their possession or be sanctioned.
The panel in its reports claimed Oriolowo was in the custody of 130G Motor Grader (005132-A321), D6 Bulldozer (OS130-A32), Electric Transformer Feeder Board Panel and Soil Compactor Machine (OS137- A32), which the governor asked him to return or face sanctions.
However, the Senator who debunked the government’s claim explained that the allegation has caused so much damage to his name, reputation and legacy and 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.”
The senator advanced “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 unravelled the salient fact that the equipment is still the property of the Osun State Government.”
