The Assets Recovery Panel instituted by the Osun State Government to recover government property in possession of private individuals, has asked the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to return official vehicles in his possession.
The panel also asked the former governor’s wife, Kafayat, and appointees to also return their official vehicles valued at N2.9bn.
A statement by the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, explained that the former officials went away with various models of vehicles without any legal basis for such action.
The statement quoted the chairman of the panel, Dr BT Salami read in part, “In the list of affected officials, Governor Oyetola alone has 11 vehicles ranging from Lexus SUV, Toyota Prado SUVs and assorted models of costly vehicles. His wife, Mrs Kafayat, also has in her possession several brands of government vehicles that were taken away against the provisions of the law.
“The former deputy governor has more than seven government vehicles in his custody contrary to the provisions of the law. A serving Senator, Oriolowo, is also directed to return to the Osun State Agricultural Development Programme five machines namely motor grader, bulldozer, and soil compactor machine, among others.”
However, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has faulted the transparency of the panel.
In a statement by the party’s Media Director, Mr Kola Olabisi, the party said all the panels set up by the government already had their reports even before they were inaugurated.
The statement read in part, “If you take a look at the video attached, you will observe the vehicles they announce that they are looking for are already being used by the current deputy governor. Yet, they claimed they did due diligence.
“Should we continue to believe characters like that? How did they come about the cost? Are they using the current market value or how?
“Talking about this particular panel, have they concluded their sitting? When was their report submitted? We asked these questions because only two days ago, the governor was quoted to have said any of the former political appointees that want his November salary should return the vehicle in his custody.
“Or is that also part of the recommendations of the panel? For clarity sake, the former governor and his deputy, by law and convention, are entitled to certain privileges and these are well documented. Apart from those vehicles which their offices permit them to take home, they never took any other item.
“As for the commissioners and other appointees who are also statutorily entitled, the governor formally approved their used official vehicles to them as a gift for their meritorious service to the state since they are not entitled to either pension or gratuity.”
