Malachy Uzendu, Erasmus Alamene and Dele Ogunyemi
29 August 2008
Lagos — Former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja, was yesterday arrested in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He would be arraigned in court today over alleged N1.93 billion scam.
The ex-governor was whisked off his Lagos home by operatives of the anti-graft body on alleged misappropriation of the Oyo state government funds amounting to N1.93 billion while he was in officer.
Sources however said he was arrested as a result of a petition sent to EFCC by some individuals alleging sundry financial misconduct while he was governor of Oyo State.
Though details of the allegations listed in the petition could not be immediately obtained as at press time, the former governor was however said to be currently detained in the EFCC office in Lagos.
Contacted, the head of media and publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest, but did not offer further explanations
Ladoja was the governor of Oyo state between 2003 and 2007. He was impeached illegally for eleven months in 2006 but a judgment of the Supreme Court upturned the impeachment. While the impeachment lasted, his deputy, now governor of the state, Alhaji, Alao Akala ruled the state, but in a manner that further polarised their relationship.
Akala had accused Ladoja of spending N1.93 billion being proceeds from the sale of shares of the state government. However, Ladoja had through his media assistant, Mr. Lanre Latinwo, said the shares, which were bought in 2004 appreciated by about 200 per cent.
He said part of the proceeds was used to finance the circular road projects like the Okeho-Ado Awaye road and the water supply scheme of the state.
"It is an open secret that the present administration in the state cannot do anything without connecting Ladoja's name with it, if it must be heard and approved by the people of the state."
He said Akala had earlier petitioned three anti-graft agencies on the issue, which he said, had led to the invitation of some officials of his former cabinet who were discovered to be innocent.
He said the EFCC the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission and the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police had handled the case in the past.
Ladoja had said: "One would have expected the Akala administration to await the outcome of the report of the security agencies before embarking on another action. As of today, nobody has been indicted by any of these agencies to our knowledge".
Reacting yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State, Alao-Akala stated that he would not rejoice over the political misfortune of his predecessor in office.
Speaking through Prince Dotun Oyelade, his special adviser on public communication, Governor Alao-Akala, posited that the issue between Ladoja and himself was nothing personal but on state policy.
"We will not do anything or stop the duties of any anti-graft agency including the EFCC. We wish Senator Ladoja well in his trying period," he said.
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