Lagos — Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Muiz Banire, has asked the state police commissioner, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate an alleged assault on Mushin Local Government Chairman, Mr Seye Oladejo, to establish the authenticity of the claim.

Banire, in a letter to the police boss through his counsel, Teju Tijani, requested that apart from unveiling the veracity of the alleged attack, the police should bring the culprits to book if the claim is found to be true and if otherwise, charge Oladejo to court for making false allegation.

The letter reads: "our client has informed us, which information we verily believe, that between December 17 and 18, 2007, Honourable Seye Oladejo, current Carataker Chairman of Mushin Local Government, made statement(s) to members of the public which are highly damaging to the precious reputation of our client.

"In the said statement(s), our client was reliably informed that Oladejo asserted that our client physically assaulted him and personally hired thugs who attacked him and caused grievous bodily harm to his person.

"Our client finds this very disturbing, as this does not possess any iota of truth. More disturbing to our client is the implications raised by the said statement(s) to the effect that our client, who is a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a distinguished member of the International Bar Association, a holder of a doctorate degree in law and currently the Commissioner for the Environment in Lagos State, is not a person of honourable character, and therefore, unfit to hold any public office or serve in any such capacity."

"It is based on this that our client finds it worthy to make a formal report to you, Sir, for your investigation as well as prosecution of any person or body of persons that may be found involved in this grievous harm to the reputation of our client," the letter read.