THE commission of inquiry set up by the Governor Rauf Aregbesola-led government in Osun State to look into the circumstances surrounding the procurement of the N18.38 billion loan from the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc, on Wednesday, submitted its report with an indictment of the immediate past governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, for leadership failure.
The Professor Femi Odekunle-led commission recommended sanctions for the former governor for heeding the advice of the then speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Adejare Bello, to take the loan at a non-emergency circumstance.
Oyinlola was also recommended for sanction for approving the terms of the loan that the commission found to be inimical to the interest of the state, when compared to the interests of UBA Plc.
Professor Odekunle, accompanied by other members of the panel, also recommended that the ex-governor should face sanction “for irrational application of parts of such loan and for directing certain obvious reckless disbursement for the loan.”
Oyinlola was also blamed for approving what the commission described as an “unthinking MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with IDG, which has turned out to be a fraud against the state,” just as he was also blamed for authorising “dubious and irregular payment to Meadows Park Investment Limited.”
But Prince Oyinlola, reacting through his media aide, Ayo Olaiya, said “we knew what a panel set up by the current government in Osun State would do, we also note that the panel allowed the person that set it up to appear before it and make submissions.
“The same person has now received the report to judge the case. It is interesting, but we will react appropriately after reading the report.”
Other indicted state officials were the former state head of service, Mr Segun Akinwusi and the former permanent secretary in charge of the state Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr Abiodun Akintaro.
They were indicted for failing to offer required advice to the former governor during meetings on the loan, which they attended.
While some officials were recommended for sanction, the commission recommended the former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works, Mr Ojo and the Director-General in the Due Process Office, Mr Gbenga Abiola for commendation.
Aregbesola, responding, assured that the report would be subjected to review by technocrats and approved by the government, with a white paper issued on it.
He assured of speedy consideration, even as he expressed satisfaction with the presentation of the report.
National Mirror
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