The Osun State Government has asked Gboyega Oyetola, the current governor of the state, to return 11 vehicles that he allegedly took from the state after he leaves office.
Mr. Oyetola's wife, Kafayat Oyetola, and former aides to the ex-governor were among those who were asked to return vehicles that were allegedly stolen from the state.
In a statement released on Friday, the spokesperson for the incumbent governor, Demola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, stated that the vehicles that were taken illegally were worth N2.9 billion.
As of the time this report was written, Mr. Oyetola had not yet responded to the claims made by Mr. Rasheed.
Mr. Adeleke of the People's Democratic Party defeated Mr. Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress in his bid for reelection.
Since his inauguration, Mr. Adeleke has repeatedly accused Mr. Oyetola of misconduct and reversed some of his actions as governor.
However, Mr. Oyetola has stated that he acted in the state's best interest and denied any wrongdoing.
However, Mr. Oyetola continues to challenge the election tribunal's decision regarding the July governorship race.
In his Friday statement, Mr Rasheed said the public authority's choice was taken by a resource recuperation board set up by the new lead representative.
Read the full statement by Mr Rasheed below.
The Assets Recovery Panel of the Osun State Government has directed former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, his wife, Hajia Kafayat Oyetola and other former appointees to immediately return assorted vehicles valued at N2.9 billion presently illegally in their possession.
The former officials had gone away with various models of vehicles without any legal basis for such action. As at today, there is no law that authorised any elected or appointed officials to go with state vehicles after completing their tenure of office.
The Chairman of the Asset Recovery Committee, Dr BT Salami reported that due diligence has been conducted and the committee has concluded that the affected past officials should return government vehicles in their possession.
“This is the first batch of vehicles to be retrieved. We will soon come up with the second batch. All affected officials should return the vehicles in their possession immediately to avoid coercive procedures for recovery of State assets”, the Committee Chairman said.
In the list of affected officials, Governor Oyetola alone has 11 vehicles ranging from Lexus Jeep, Toyota Prado jeeps and assorted models of costly vehicles. The wife, Mrs Kafayat also has in her possession several brand of governments vehicles which were taken away against provisions of the law.
Other former officials listed include immediate past SPECIAL Adviser on Security, former Chief Details, former Personal Assistant to the Governor, former special assistants to the Governor, former Senior special assistants, former special advisers, former local government caretaker chairmen and members, former board chairmen and members, former Chief of Staff, former Deputy Chief of Staff, former Deputy Governor , former Secretary to the State Government, former commissioners among others.
The former Deputy Governor has more than seven government vehicles in his custody contrary to the provisions of the law.
A serving Senator, Oriolowo is also directed to return to the Osun State Agricultural Development Programme five machines namely motor grader, buldozer, soil compactor machine among others.
All affected ex-officials are to urgently comply with the above request or risk enforcement procedures.
