Controversy Shadows Akeredolu’s New Foreign Trip As Forgery Allegations Rock Ondo Exco

Controversy over the alleged forgery of the signature of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State deepened on Friday night as it was alleged that he may have been secretly taken abroad again.

The allegation of forgery was made by the commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Razaq Obe, who said that the alleged forgery of the signature of Governor Akeredolu on an official document of his ministry.

Meanwhile, Mr Kolawole Johnson, director strategy, research, programming Acts for Positive Transformation Initiative in a television programme on Channels on Friday night alleged that the governor may have been secreted out of the country.

The assertion of forgery as made by Obe was, however, debunked by the commissioner for information and orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju as idiotic and criminal.

The information commissioner who said that she saw the governor last on September 8 said that she had been receiving regular instructions from him.

Speaking on the same Channels Television Politics Today programme, Johnson alleged that the governor was recently been taken out of the country and that even before then that his signature was being forged by some of his handlers.

“I want to prove her wrong that as we speak now that the governor is not even in Nigeria and if they want to prove me wrong tomorrow (Saturday) let them take anyone there to go and take his pictures,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Obe raised the allegation of forgery of the governor’s signature in a letter dated Dec. 7 addressed to the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The letter titled, “Forgery of Mr Governor’s signature on official document” was made available to journalists on Friday in Akure.

Obe said he observed irregularities in the signature when files from his ministry were returned through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu.

He noted that after his discovery, the forensic expert had confirmed that the governor’s signature was forged.

“I write to call your attention to a critical matter that has been confirmed; the signature of Mr Governor on a certain document has been forged.

“The irregularities in the signature were first observed when a file from my ministry was returned through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

“This is the only file that has been returned so far out of the five files that were sent to Mr Governor for approval about two months ago.

“Under close inspection, I noticed significant differences between the suspicious signature and handwriting and Mr Governor’s known signature and handwriting in the file.

“Concerned about the gravity of the situation, I decided to seek a forensic review before disclosing my discovery.

“I sent the suspicious signature, handwriting samples, and copies of the old regular signatures to forensic experts, who have now confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were indeed forged.

“Despite the inherent risks involved, I have chosen to fulfill the obligations of my office by reporting this alarming development to you as the highest-ranking member of the State Executive Council after Mr Governor.

“I firmly believe that this is the course of action our esteemed leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, would take in such a situation.

“Considering the possibility that such forgery may be widespread, this heads-up is of utmost importance to the government and people of Ondo State.

“I have attached a copy of the forensic report and relevant pages from the file for your reference.

“I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take appropriate actions to address the situation.

“It is crucial that we restore the integrity of our processes and ensure that such a disturbing development is swiftly punctuated,” the letter reads.

GWG.ng reports that the governor went on a medical leave in July but returned to assume duties in early September but has remained in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The assertion by Johnson that Akeredolu has been taken out of the country is a fresh dimension to the saga in Ondo State that has deepened the signature forgery saga.

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