Moyosore Ogunlewe, the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area in Lagos State, has formally addressed the corruption and criminal breach allegations made by his former aide, Ganiyu Oyebanjo.
In a statement released on Friday, Ogunlewe stated that he is open to investigations and is confident he will be vindicated.
Oyebanjo had filed a petition with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing Ogunlewe and several council supervisors of misappropriating billions of naira.
Following the petition, the council chairman and other officials were summoned and interrogated for hours at the ICPC office on 10 Okotie Eboh Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Before his arrest, Oyebanjo alleged that the officials were implicated in corruption, embezzlement, and inflating contracts worth billions of naira.
But in a statement, signed by Ogunlewe’s Chief Press Secretary, Oluwole Obisanya, on Friday, the council chairman clarified that Oyebanjo’s arrest was the result of the discovery of classified documents belonging to the council at his residence, following a search authorized by a competent authority.
He emphasized that the arrest was not related to any claims made by Oyebanjo of being a whistleblower.
“The administration of Barrister Moyosore Ogunlewe has consistently maintained the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and probity in governance, with all financial transactions following due process and supported by documentary evidence.
“We take great exception to these baseless allegations, which are clearly designed to impugn the integrity of our administration and undermine the confidence of the public. It is pertinent to note that Oyebanjo’s allegations appear to be driven by his personal grievances and disappointment following his loss in the 2021 primaries.
“Furthermore, Oyebanjo has pending cases of signature forgery (of his colleagues), stealing of classified documents, and threatening the Council Chairman after his demand for an SUV, rather than the official Toyota Corolla designated for all supervisors, was rebuffed.
“Oyebanjo’s arrest was a result of the discovery of classified documents (belonging to the council) in his residence, following a search warrant issued by a competent authority, and not due to his claims of being a whistleblower. These actions are a clear indication of Oyebanjo’s desperation to tarnish the reputation of Barrister Moyosore Ogunlewe’s administration and undermine the confidence of the public.
“We are confident that the relevant authorities will take appropriate action to address these serious infractions.
“We are open to any official investigation by relevant government agencies and we are confident that our actions will be vindicated. We assure the public that our administration will continue to operate with the highest level of transparency and accountability, and that we will not be swayed by these malicious allegations.”
