Lagos State government, yesterday, debunked a report on social media that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu paid his lawyers from the state government’s funds, describing it as false.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, responded to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who accused Governor Sanwo-Olu of financing his legal representation with state resources.
Omotoso, characterizing the report as another attempt to mislead the residents of Lagos, remarked, ”A post on ‘X’ by Labour Party, LP, candidate Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on November 19, 2023, alleged -without any proof whatsoever- that the Lagos State government funded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s legal dispute after the March 18, 2023 election. This is not true.”
“The allegation was supported by a document that neither carried the logo of the Lagos State Government nor the endorsement of any of its officials.”
“It was simply another ploy to deceive the public about a non-existent payment of N50 million to four lawyers.”
“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinise the finances of the Lagos State Government, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth.”
“The transaction referenced by Mr Rhodes-Vivour never took place. There was a payment request, which was not approved by Mr Governor when the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice drew his attention to it because it was irregular. For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Sanwo-Olu will never misappropriate public funds in defiance of his Oath of Office.”
Gov speaks on alleged funds for perfume, others
Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu addressed the reported approval of N3.75 billion for the replacement of liquid fragrance in his office and the purchase of rechargeable fans for his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, dismissing it as a misrepresentation of the facts.
Sanwo-Olu was accused of sanctioning N7.5 million for the replacement of liquid fragrance in his office and N3 billion for the acquisition of rechargeable fans for his deputy’s office, Obafemi Hamzat.
Speaking at the official unveiling of the new four-storey office complex of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) in Ikeja GRA, the governor stated, “We observed the criticism on social media. We appreciate the fact that people can criticize us; that shows we need to do well. So we don’t have any problem with the originator.”
“If a government is responsible it should not shy away from consecutive criticisms.”
“But it is only when criticism is malicious, undefended, and begins to misrepresent the truth, that’s when there’s a problem, and I’m sure that the officers in Lagos State have all come out to show that, indeed they can make mistakes on some lines of items.”
“I am sure that the officers in Lagos State have shown that indeed they can make mistakes.”