OSUN EX-HEALTH COMMISSIONER DENIES FRAUD ALLEGATION

The embattled former Osun state commissioner for health, Chief Lanre Afolabi, has denied allegation of fraud levelled against him. Afolabi said he was not involved in any fraudulent act while serving as commissioner in the administration of former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The commissioner, in a telephone conversation yesterday, confirmed that he was invited by the state police command over the abandoned work at the site of the state drug manufacturing company being handled by one Messrs Samlink Integrated Service Limited.

He said he had explained his side of the story to the police, noting that the company did not abandon the job but that the stoppage of work on site was due to change of government in the state. Afolabi, who disclosed that almost 95 per cent of the job had been done, said almost all the equipment for the drug manufacturing company were on site awaiting installation.

The commissioner said he had spoken with the contractor who assured him that he would be available next month. He added that he had explained the position of things to the state government through the ministry of health. Afolabi explained that his invitation by the police was not on account of his involvement in any fraudulent act but to ensure the return of the contractor to the site.

The former commissioner had been invited, by the police, over his alleged involvement in a N178 million deal while serving as commissioner in the state.