ALLEGED N5.4BN FRAUD: ONI DARES FAYEMI

Fraud allegation leveled against former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni by the state government has continued to generate more controversies, as he has challenged Governor Kayode Fayemi to make public, the purported white paper on the report of the committee that indicted him.

A committee set up by Governor Fayemi to review contracts awarded under the Oni-led administration, released recently had indicted Oni of financial impropriety to the tune of N5.4billion.

But Oni in a statement by his media aide, Wale Ojo-Lanre said that the white paper was necessary and of high importance judging by the magnitude of the allegation, saying 'a white paper should not be like the pre-renaissance scroll which can only be accessed by the holder.'

Describing the allegation as spurious, the statement stated that 'though Oni was neither invited nor consulted by the committee, yet it is imperative and in the culture of decency to make available, the so-called white paper which was obviously drafted on a one -sided information.'

It argued that, 'the public must note that the ACN in Ekiti has been operating a liar propagandist agenda out of and in government.

'Fayemi himself is running the most despicable government which thrives in patent lies, falsehood, deliberate misinformation, blackmail and maligning of Oni as if doing so will amount to democracy dividends for Ekiti people.

'It must be noted that Fayemi's first assignment when he assumed office seven months ago was the removal of Oni's portrait from the governor's office. He later followed this up by ordering the demotion of all permanent secretaries appointed by Oni.

'Later, he (Fayemi) came up with a spurious claim that Oni incurred over N40 billion debt, details of which he failed to publish when we challenged him to do so.'

According to a statement by Fayemi's spokesman, Mojeed Jamiu, last week, Mr. Eben Alade-led panel recommended that the Kayode Fayemi-led administration must use all legal means to compel Oni to refund a total of N5, 419, 506, 264.55 to the coffers of the state government.

The fraud was said to have been perpetrated through contracts award which include dualization of Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road, Igede-Eyio-Iworoko Road, cross-boundary roads, construction of five new state secretariat buildings, new House of Assembly complex, cassava revolution scheme and purchase of 600 cows from South Africa for Ikun Dairy Farm.