…..Demands Update On Alleged Forgery of Late Akeredolu Signature
The Ondo Pillars Elders Forum (OPEF) has challenged the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo,SAN, to publish the names of those who reportedly held State’ Major Funds and Assets.
The Elders Forum was reacting to an official Statement from the office of the Attorney-General which stated that major funds and assets belonging to the state have been recovered from private hands.
OPEF in a Statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Orijeminiyi Samuel, said Ajulo’s claim to have recovered major funds and assets from private individuals must go beyond social media circulated Press Statements.
According to the Forum, the people of the state have the inalienable right to know those who pilfered their collective resources so as to know the extent of the efforts of the Attorney-General.
“We read the statement from the office of the Attorney-General about the recovery of state’ major Funds and assets from the hands of private individuals. As soothing as the news sounds to the ears, we must not be carried away with the flowery flow of the news and information.
“We owe it a duty to make the people accountable and ensure that while government is fulfilling its avowed responsibilities to protecting public assets and funds, those culpable of pilfering must be known and identified.
“Flowing from the above, we challenge the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo,SAN, to name these rogues and ensure that the public have the full information of what assets and funds were recovered from them.
“This is imperative for perception, transparency and accountability. Since the government merely hold these fund and assets in trust for the public. Names must be mentioned, in specifics, just as the exact amount of fund and number of assets recovered must also be made public.
“One would also begin to wonder if the government is truly serious about recovery of public funds and assets from private hands. It’s expected that those funds and assets got to the hands of private individuals illegally, hence, amounted to stealing of public funds and assets.
“In this situation, arrest should have been made and these suspected persons prosecuted in a competent court of law. The stance of the Attorney-General and his method of merely issuing a Press Statement to announce that Funds and assets were recovered is both dramatic and juvenile. It doesn’t speak to his competence.
“Who has been arrested so far? How much did you recover ? What assets were recovered from private hands? Where did you recover them? These questions are very germane to convince the people that the Attorney-General is not just leading people to a goose chase.
“The various theatrics going on in the government notwithstanding, issues that have to do with pilfering of public assets must be taken seriously and truthfully, else, we become a butt of the joke. Let it be known, that Ondo State people are too intellectually savvy for anyone to bamboozle. We will ask questions.” The forum said.
The Elders Forum also demanded update on the signature forgery allegation which went round media before and after the death of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
“We also read the Attorney-General made promise that those culpable will be brought to book. We like to remind him that it’s over one year and the state has not heard anything on the matter. We do not want to believe that the whole signature forgery story was a farce.
“From the look of things, if after one year there is no progress recorded on signature forgery allegations, despite pointing accusing fingers to perceived political enemies, then it is safe to say that the story was made up and never true. The Aiyedatiwa led administration might need to apologize to the people of the state and those whose name have been maligned.
