The Governor of Osun State, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, has refuted allegation that he illegally acquired a house in the United Kingdom under questionable circumstances.
He was reacting to reports that his name featured in Pandora Papers, a cross-border investigative journalism report on alleged corrupt practices by world leaders.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, in a statement on Saturday, the governor said there was no truth in the claims made against him.
The statement was titled, ‘Pandora Papers: Oyetola has not engaged in any wrongdoing.’
Omipidan, in the statement, said on taking up a political appointment in 2011, Oyetola resigned from his position as a directorship of Aranda Overseas and ceased to have dealings with the company.
He said he could not have acquired a house in London in 2017, as claimed in the report.
He also explained that his principal had no link with Mr Kolawole Aluko, the alleged owner of the property, let alone going into a business dealing or transaction with him.
The statement read in part, “Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State, resigned his directorship of Aranda Overseas Corporation in 2011, when he took up political appointment. He also surrendered his shareholding of the same company.
“Since 2011 till date, he has had no association, dealings and business transactions with the said company, as he is neither a director nor shareholder of the said company. He, therefore, could not have acquired the said property in 2017 either directly or through the said company as being alleged.
“As a matter of fact, Oyetola has no relationship or link with the alleged owner of the property, Mr Kolawole Aluko, let alone go into a business dealing or transaction with him. He also complied fully with the law of the land by exiting Global Investments Offshore Limited, as a Director in 2011, upon his appointment as the Chief of Staff.”
While commending family members, associates and well-wishers of the governor for their show of concern over the development, Omipidan assured them that there was no reason for concern, saying “Oyetola has always shown that he is a man who knows and respects the law in his corporate and political endeavours.”
