Alleged N4.7bn fraud: Alli, Lanlehin, Makinde react as court acquits ex-Oyo Governor, Ladoja

Former Secretary to the Oyo state Government and gubernatorial candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Barrister Sharafadeen Alli and his African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Engineer Seyi Makinde respectively, have reacted to Friday’s acquittal of former governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja.

DAILY POST recalls that a federal high court in Lagos on Friday discharged and acquitted Ladoja and his Finance commissioner Mr. Waheed Akanbi over the N4.7billion case instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Alli, while reacting in a statement issued by his media aide, Comrade Taiwo Ibarahim, said he had know Ladoja for being a trustworthy person for many decades.

He stated that the discharge of Ladoja by the court has shown that Ladoja ran a transparent government.

He said, “I have known my leader, Ladoja over the decades as one who always stand by the truth and would never do anything to soil his image.

“His victory is another testimony that the government he ran in Oyo state between 2003 and 2007, together with those of us, his lieutenants, was that of the people and for the people alone and this is the more reason he stands out as has been clamouring for good governance in the next dispensation”.

He recalled that his record of putting the people, teachers, civil servants, traders, artisans in the the frontburner of governance has not been rivaled since he left the saddle in 2007 and stressed that as a graduate from his school of political thoughts, he (Ladoja) has reposed that confidence in him to reshape the socio-economic and socio-political system of Oyo State.

Lanlehin, in a statement by his media aide, Damola Adeoye, said, “Senator Ladoja’s integrity has been further advertised, and the orchestrators of the spurious litigation, ostensibly for political motives, put to perpetual shame.

“Senator Lanlehin, therefore, congratulates the Osi Olubadan on this victory over witch hunt, base politics and unfounded allegations, urging him to continue to dedicate his life to the advancement of humanity and promotion of welfarism.”

Makinde, on his part, said that he was relieved to learn that the litigation which lasted over 10 years was finally laid to rest in favour of Senator Ladoja.

According to him, “Ladoja’s comportment throughout the ordeal was a lesson in resilience which the younger ones must learn from.”

Makinde said that Senator Ladoja must now make himself father of all and stand by what will bring maximum progress to a people he once governed.