N126m Fraud: Allegation Against Akande Spurious - AD
By Ndubuisi Ugah
The Alliance for Democracy (AD) yesterday rose in defence of former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, over allegation of involvement in N126 million fraud levelled against him by his successor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The party said the allegation was targetted at smearing Akande's good name.
The party has also urged Akande not to answer or respond to the police summons made illegally on the airwaves.
AD in a statement issued yesterday by its National Director of Publicity, Research and Statistics, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said "we are convinced beyond reasonable doubt (and any right thinking Nigerian should) that the allegations are spurious, unfounded, malicious and plainly mendacious".
The party noted that the allegations were nothing "but a deliberate attempt to tarnish the good image of Bisi Akande who is perhaps the most prudent, honest and efficient administrator at any level of government in the present democratic dispensation".
The party said it viewed the roles being played by the police in allowing itself to be used contrary to its constitutional obligations as unfortunate. It added that the police, which is supposed to be the impartial enforcer of the law, has allowed the government in power to reduce it (police) to an instrument of political intimidation and blackmail by political opponents in the country.
"The police are not a law unto themselves. As law enforcers, they should follow the normal process and procedures. Until they are ready to respect their own rules, Akande should simply ignore them."
"The police was blatantly used to rig last year's general elections. Now in the post-election period, they are being used to intimidate, silence and crush known critics and opponents of the government. Akande is the latest victim. It is laughable that while Akande was being applauded with a standing ovation at Wole Soyinka's birthday lecture in Lagos, the jokers (in the name of Nigerian Police) in Osun were on the state radio saying that he was on the run", the statement stated.
According to the party, it was understandable why Oyinlola felt intimidated by Akande's record of prudence, honesty, integrity and unparallel achievements bearing in mind that he (Oyinlola) had assumed office with a tag of " do nothing governor "in reference to his generally acknowledged dismal performance as military administrator in Lagos State."
"For the PDP and President Obasanjo, Akande's 'sin' is what they have called "his acidic criticisms" of the President. but they have picked the wrong target for the wrong reasons. It is on record that President Obasanjo (perhaps relying on intelligence reports from his agencies) declared Akande as the most honest and efficient governor in the country. Even after the ex-governor was rigged out by the PDP during last year's electitions, the President lamented the outcome. This is on record. Are the macabre dancers in Oshogbo and Abuja now trying to re-write history?", the party stated.
Also, the AD urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, to call officers and men of the force to order especially that of the Osun state command.
An Osogbo chief magistrate had on July 2 issued a warrant of arrest to the police to produce Akande, for his alleged role in the defrauding of the government to the tune of N126 million while in office.
According to the warrant, the former governor was alleged to have conspired with three others to defraud the state government of the money from the implementation of the Bola Ige House Secretariat Complex.
Akande, however, said the allegation was a plot masterminded by his successor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to tarnish his reputation.
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