The Ogun State government, on Saturday, refuted reports that its officials were invited to the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with a petition allegedly filed by Wale Adedayo, a former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, who was removed from office over allegations of financial misappropriation.
Contrary to insinuations made in a story titled “Alleged Funds Diversion: EFCC Quizzes Ogun Accountant General, Others,” published by certain media outlets, the government clarified that the officials were not summoned over any alleged diversion of local government funds.
This clarification was provided in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the State Governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade.
According to the statement, the officials were not presented with any petition from Adedayo. The EFCC, being a responsible body, would have provided them with the petition if it were truly the basis for their invitation.
The statement further remarked: “Ordinarily, there would be no reason to respond to the antics of a known provocateur and rabble-rouser, who has made salacious, evidence-free allegations against Governor Dapo Abiodun and his administration, with the intent to sow discord among the people and destabilize Ogun State.
“While we continue to respect media organizations as partners in progress, we categorically state that the report in question is nothing but fake news and should be disregarded.
“As is the case with officials from other state governments, Ogun State officials are not exempt from invitations by anti-graft agencies if clarification on any matter is needed. It is reassuring that the EFCC confirmed our officials, as law-abiding citizens, honoured the invitation and have since returned to their duties.
“It is, however, a complete fabrication to claim that they were invited due to a petition by Wale Adedayo, a chief propagandist who once accused his former boss, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and who falsely claimed that his co-chairmen supported his petition against Governor Abiodun—a claim they have categorically denied.
“The media, as a cornerstone of society, should not assist rabble-rousers and morally bankrupt individuals in spreading falsehood.”
