The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rashidi Ladoja

  • ‘I’ll fill vacant posts in Olubadan chieftaincy line’

    ‘I’ll fill vacant posts in Olubadan chieftaincy line’

    There are indications that the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will return to Ibadan by weekend.

    The former governor said he would prioritise filling vacant positions in the Olubadan chieftaincy line after his enthronement as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    Media aide to the monarch, Adeola Oloko, in a statement, said the ex-governor made this known while playing host to the Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi, at his Lagos home on Monday.

    He quoted the Olubadan-designate as saying that although he was not in Ibadan when Oba Owolabi Olakulehin joined his ancestors, he extolled the virtues of the late paramount ruler.

    “I was not in Ibadan when the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba  Olakulehin, joined his ancestors on July 7.

    Read Also: AAUA students demand corpse of ‘prime suspect’

    “Kabiyesi Olakulehin lived an impactful life and gave a good account of himself.

    “There will be no delay in filling every pending vacancy in the Olubadan chieftaincy line,” Olubadan-designate said.

    Oba Kola-Daisi condoled with Oba Ladoja over the passing of the 43rd Olubadan.

    He used the opportunity to pledge his loyalty and support to the Olubadan-designate.

    The Nation reports that Oba Olakulehin joined his ancestors at the age of 90, five days to celebrate his first coronation anniversary.

    Oba Ladoja, who has been away since the demise of Oba Olakulehin, is expected back in Ibadan this weekend.

    It was gathered that enthronement rite will begin after the burial ceremony of Oba Olakulehin, which has been tentatively fixed for August 8 at St. Peters Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan.

    The enthronement rites will be preceded by the Olubadan Advisory Council meeting where Oba Ladoja will be nominated as successor to the throne by Balogun Olubadan, Oba Tajudeed Ajibola, to be seconded by Osi Olubadan, Oba Eddy Oyewole.

    Oba Ladoja’s nomination will be forwarded to Governor Seyi Makinde for approval, after which the traditional rites will start.

    The date of the coronation of the new Olubadan is expected to be announced after the final burial of Oba Olakulehin.

  • Ladoja backs Rivers Emergency Rule

    Ladoja backs Rivers Emergency Rule

    The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland Senator Rashidi Ladoja has said declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rivers State was in order and not a threat to democracy.

    Ladoja stated with the declaration of State of Emergency by Tinubu, there is now relative peace in the State.

    There have been political crises in Rivers State between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and some lawmakers said to be loyalists to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

    Read Also: NCSP hosts Chinese investors, targets collaboration to boost Nigeria’s technology ecosystem

    Speaking with journalists at his Bodija residence, Ladoja, stated that Tinubu wouldn’t have declared emergency Rule in Rivers if there was no need for it.

    According to him, the Emergency Rule is a welcome development to restore peace in the State.

    He urged Fubara and former Governor Wike to resolve their differences if their intention is to serve the State.

  • I remain Otun Olubadan despite accepting to wear beaded crown – Ladoja

    I remain Otun Olubadan despite accepting to wear beaded crown – Ladoja

    Former governor of Oyo state and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja on Sunday, August 4, said his decision to join other high chiefs to wear beaded crown should not be taken as if he has become an Oba.

    He said despite his acceptance to wear a beaded crown which he described as a ceremonial crown, he remained the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    During an interview with journalists at his Bodija residence, the former governor revealed that he accepted the beaded crown after consulting with various stakeholders, including Christian and Muslim leaders, as well as the Oluwo and Araba of Ibadanland.

    He emphasized that his decision was guided by the wishes of the Ibadan people and his conviction.

    According to him, taking the crown does not make him an Oba because it is a ceremonial crown.

    Read Also: Olubadan: Ladoja, Olubadan-in-council, others attend Olakulehin’s coronation thanksgiving service

    He said: “The crown is ceremonial, and it is for those of us who are already in the Olubadan line to become the Olubadan, we only have one Oba in Ibadanland which is the Olubadan.

    “For Ibadan, the crown does not make someone a king, I’m not an Oba, I remain the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, to be an Oba, you need to have domain and chief, as Olubadan chief, you can’t be a king in Ibadan and wear your crown and horsewhip to the Olubadan palace.

    “People said the amended Chieftaincy law was targeted towards me, but I believe the amended law was made public for me to know what can hinder me from becoming the Olubadan.

    “It’s not just for me to become the Olubadan, it’s about service, only God knows who will become Olubadan, what else do I want if God has been kind enough to me to live to this age.”

  • Ladoja, other Olubadan-in-Council members in truce move

    Ladoja, other Olubadan-in-Council members in truce move

    Peace, cohesion and unity are fully returning to the divided Olubadan-in-Council.

    This follows moves by Otun Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja’s out-of-court settlement plan.

    Ladoja, former governor of Oyo State, is in court against the enthronement of his colleagues as obas last year. It was his second time of challenging their enthronement.

    The Otun Olubadan had challenged their enthronement in 2017 by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, and won. The judgment was later used to force the council members to drop their crowns as the condition for enthroning the late Oba Lekan Balogun in 2022.

    When Governor Seyi Makinde re-enthroned them last year, Ladoja, who refused to accept the elevation as oba for the second time,  returned to court, seeking the nullification of the enthronement. The case is still being heard.

    But Oba Balogun’s demise on March 14 heightened the tension between the former governor and the Obas as he is the only one more step closer to the Olubadan throne. Ladoja is the current head of the Otun line, and it will be his turn to mount the throne whenever the crown returns to the line. Oba Balogun was on the Otun line.

    Read Also; FG funded 3rd Mainland bridge repairs, says Umahi

    Sources said the disposition of other members of the council, who will nominate him when it is his turn to mount the throne, has become a source of concern to the former governor.

     The obas shunned a meeting called by him a fortnight ago during which he expected that Oba Owolabi Olakulehin would be nominated and pronounced the next Olubadan.

    Rather, the obas held a meeting the day before and decided that they would not pronounce Olakulehin, who did not make a public appearance since Oba Balogun joined his ancestors.

    Oba Olakulehin eventually showed up on Friday.

    It was learnt that with the intervention of Ibadan elders, both parties are very close to reaching an out-of-court settlement that will end the bitterness and also clear the way for Ladoja to be nominated by his colleagues when the throne return to Otun line.

    Both parties were putting finishing touches on the agreement at the weekend, pointing to the possibility of a permanent truce during the week.

    The obas had last year refused to allow Ladoja join their routine meeting, insisting that they could not hold meetings with a colleague who dragged them to court seeking their dethronement.

  • Why I can’t settle Makinde, ZLP’s rift, by Ladoja

    A FORMER governor of Oyo State and chieftain of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, has said that other leaders of his party restrained him from intervening to resolve the disagreement between Governor Seyi Makinde and the ZLP in the state.

    Ladoja stated this while addressing reporters on the occasion of his 75th birthday in Ibadan, the state capital.

    The former governor chaired the formation of the alliance of political parties that worked for Makinde’s victory in the March 9 election. While Makinde is of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ladoja is of the ZLP. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) were part of the alliance.

    But ZLP leaders have been at loggerheads with Makinde over the sharing of political appointments since he was sworn in on May 29.

    The party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Alli, had indicated his interest in the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), but the governor did not oblige him, The Nation learnt.

    Read Also: Makinde, wife to receive special recognition award

    Instead, Makinde appointed Alli as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, the ZLP candidate never turned up for the inauguration or activities of the council.

    Since then, the party has been in a silent tussle with the governor, believing that Makinde had turned his back on its members and abandoned the gentleman agreement of giving 15 per cent of all positions to members of ZLP.

    Ladoja said ZLP as a party, asked him to stay clear of the tussle, adding that it vowed to handle it in its own way.

    The former governor said Makinde had been treating him as an individual political leader, stressing that he respects the governor’s decisions and those of the ZLP.

    Reflecting on his 75 years of living, Ladoja explained that his experience had been enriched with several successes and disappointments in all spheres of life.

    But he expressed satisfaction with the contributions he has made to both the private and public sectors.

  • I have not quit politics but won’t contest again, says Ladoja

    FORMER Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja on Sunday spoke on his future political plans, saying he has no plans to quit politics.

    He, however, clarified that will no longer seek election into any political seat.

    The Osi Olubadan, who promised to make himself available for any developmental politics in any part of the country, said he will never adopt the ‘siddon look’ approach to politics as being rumoured in some quarters.

    Ladoja made the clarification to reporters in his Bodija, Ibadan residence on Sunday after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers.

    He said: “Is it possible for someone to retire from politics? Are you not a politician? And so, what are they talking about? All I said was that I am not contesting again. Is that not retirement? That is retirement.

    “I say I am not contesting again, but I will always go for developmental politics. Whether I am in partisan or non-partisan politics, if there are any developmental politics, I will always go for it anywhere in Nigeria. So, it is not a question of ‘siddon-look’, I am not ‘siddoning look’.”

    In his assessment of the security situation in the country, the former governor said the government is not sincere in its approach to finding a lasting solution to the myriads of challenges facing the country adding that, if they are ready they will first look at the root causes of the challenges and tackle the same headlong.

    Read Also: Why I boycotted governor’s inauguration, by Ladoja

    He said the people do not trust the government anymore because the government has not fulfill its promises to the people, adding that there is the need for frank talk between the people and the government to restore mutual confidence to tackle the various insecurity challenges in different parts of the country.

    Ladoja said: “You know most of the time they talk about insecurity, we don’t sit down to look at the root cause of the problem. If we try to look at the root cause of the problem, then we will know that all these insecurities have got a root. And if we are not careful, we will be complicating it. Look at the Shiites people that were said to have been banned. They are calling for another Jihad. You know people take their religion very seriously and they will not want their religion to be killed. And that is another problem in our hands.

    “The root cause is a question of equity. This is a conventional government both at the federal, state and local level. It was set up by a constitution and the constitution provides for the three arms of government. So, if one arm is dominating the other, then you cannot have the desired peace.

    “Why should the court grant El-Zakzaky bail and they refuse to release him? And now, the people are saying, release our leader, after all, he has been granted bail and if you don’t want to release him, then take him to court. Then if the court asked them to jail him, then it’s another thing. But, they didn’t take him to court and they didn’t release him and his people are worried and they said the man is sick.”

     

     

  • Why I boycotted governor’s inauguration, by Ladoja

    Former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja on Thursday clarified that he could not attend Governor Seyi Makinde’s inauguration on Wednesday because he was bereaved and in a state of mourning.

    Ladoja’s clarification is against speculations that there was a misunderstanding between him and Makinde.

    Besides, he explained that his absence at the venue of the inauguration of Makinde at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan was duly communicated to the newly sworn in governor.

    Ladoja said he was mourning and adequately put Makinde in the know, when he (governor) visited him, 24 hours to his inauguration.

    Read Also: Judgment reserved in Ladoja’s N4.7b fraud trial

    A statement by Ladoja’s media aide, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, said the former governor stayed away from the inauguration venue in order not to dampen the spirit of the celebration.

    The statement said: “The death of 31-year-old Debola Ladoja, a promising son of the former governor of Oyo State exactly five years on 29th of May, this year, was responsible for the absence of the Ibadan high Chief Rashidi Ladoja.”

    The former governor, according to Latinwo, “kept the reason to himself in order not to dampen the high spirit of the people around him, who had prepared ahead of the inauguration.

    “This fact was made known to the governor himself when he visited the Osi Olubadan on Tuesday evening. People should, therefore, stop insinuating wrong impression here and there,” Latinwo warned.

  • BREAKING: Court to deliver judgment Friday in Ladoja’s N4.7b fraud trial

    The Federal High Court in Lagos will deliver judgment on Friday in the 12-year-old trial of former Oyo State Governor Chief Rashidi Ladoja for alleged N4.7billion fraud.

    It was learnt that parties have been served with hearing notices.

    Lead prosecuting counsel Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) confirmed that his law firm got the judgment notice.

    Asked if it was true that judgment would be delivered tomorrow, he replied “Yes”.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Ladoja last November 5 following an amendment to the charge.

    The commission first charged him with converting the money from the state treasury to his personal use in 2007.

    The case went up to the Supreme Court due to interlocutory appeals filed by Ladoja.

    Ladoja was re-arraigned along with his former Commissioner for Finance Waheed Akanbi on 11 counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

    In the amended charge, EFCC added that Ladoja allegedly “compelled” a broker to sell the state’s shares.

    EFCC alleged that the former governor allegedly did not remit N1.9billion realised from the sale of the shares.

    The prosecution and the defence adopted their final written addresses on January 21 and and made closing arguments.

    Justice Mohammed Idris informed parties that they would be notified once the judgment was ready.

    EFCC accused the defendants of converting N1,932,940,032.48 belonging to Oyo to their personal use through the Guaranty Trust Bank account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited, despite knowing that it was proceed of crime.

    Read Also: Judgment reserved in Ladoja’s N4.7b fraud trial

    The prosecution said Ladoja removed £600,000 from the state coffers in 2007 and sent it to Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja also allegedly bought an armoured Land Cruiser jeep with N42million for himself using public funds.

    EFCC said he converted N728,600,000 and another N77,850,000 at different times in 2007, and allegedly transferred N77, 850,000 to Bistrum Investments, which he nominated to help him purchase a property named Quarter 361 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes sections 17(a) and18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, punishable under sections 14(1), 16(a) (b) and 18(2).

    Ladoja and Akanbi pleaded not guilty.

    Ladoja was governor from May 29, 2003 to January 12, 2006 when he was impeached. On November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal.

    The Supreme Court upheld the decision on November 11, 2009, and Ladajo resumed office on December 12, 2006. He, however, lost a re-election bid.

  • Judgment reserved in Ladoja’s N4.7b fraud trial

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday reserved judgment in the 12-year-old trial of former Oyo State Governor Chief Rashidi Ladoja for alleged N4.7billion fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Ladoja last November 5 following an amendment to the charge.

    The commission first charged him with converting the money from the state treasury to his personal use in 2007.

    The case went up to the Supreme Court due to interlocutory appeals filed by Ladoja.

    Ladoja was re-arraigned along with his former Commissioner for Finance Waheed Akanbi on 11 counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.

    In the amended charge, EFCC added that Ladoja allegedly “compelled” a broker to sell the state’s shares.

    EFCC alleged that the former governor allegedly did not remit N1.9billion realised from the sale of the shares.

    Yesterday, the prosecution and the defence adopted their final written addresses and made closing arguments.

    Ladoja’s lawyer, Mr Bolaji Onilenla, contended that the charge was defective and should therefore be dismissed.

    “Where the essential elements of a charge are missing, such a charge is a nullity because in the first place, there is no charge and not even an amendment can cure it.

    “So, we urge Your Lordship to, on the basis of these objections, quash the charges. The court is urged to discharge and acquit the first defendant,” Onilenla said.

    He added that the EFCC failed to prove its allegation that Ladoja sent £600,000 from the state coffers to his daughter, Bimpe Ladoja, who was in London at the time.

    “Vital witnesses were not called; all the issues raised as to the competence of the charges, none has been addressed. I sympathise with the prosecution.

    “On the whole, the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. On the other hand, the 1st defendant has discharged the burden placed upon him by this court. The prosecution has proved nothing,” Onilenla said.

    Akanbi’s lawyer, Mr Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), argued that the case was full of inconsistencies, adding that the testimonies of the third, fourth and sixth prosecution witnesses were contradictory.

    Read Also: Ladoja dumps Oyo ADC for Zenith Labour Party

    “If you do not have evidence against a party, why drag him to court? I am urging Your Lordship to courageously do justice between the parties and say if you don’t have evidence, don’t charge people to court,” Olumide-Fusika said.

    According to him, Ladoja’s ex-aide, Atanda, whom the EFCC converted to a witness, was supposed to be the one on trial, rather than Ladoja and Akanbi.

    “I urge Your Lordship to discharge and acquit my client because there is no shred of evidence against him. He is guilty of nothing,” Olumide-Fusika said.

    But the prosecutor, Olabisi Oluwafemi, argued that the prosecution proved the essential elements of the offences charged.

    “We pray the court to convict the defendants guilty as charged,” Olabisi said.

    EFCC accused the defendants of converting N1, 932,940,032.48 belonging to Oyo to their personal use through the Guaranty Trust Bank account of a company, Heritage Apartments Limited, despite knowing that it was proceed of crime.

    The prosecution said Ladoja removed £600,000 from the state coffers in 2007 and sent it to Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja also allegedly bought an armoured Land Cruiser jeep with N42million for himself using public funds.

    EFCC said he converted N728,600,000 and another N77,850,000 at different times in 2007, and allegedly transferred N77, 850,000 to Bistrum Investments, which he nominated to help him purchase a property named Quarter 361 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    The alleged offence, EFCC said, contravenes sections 17(a) and18 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, punishable under sections 14(1), 16(a) (b) and 18(2).

    Ladoja and Akanbi pleaded not guilty.

    Ladoja was governor from May 29, 2003 to January 12, 2006 when he was impeached. On November 1, 2006, the Appeal Court Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal.

    The Supreme Court upheld the decision on November 11, 2009, and Ladajo resumed office on December 12, 2006. He, however, lost a re-election bid.

    Justice Mohammed Idris thanked parties for ensuring that the matter “has been finally concluded.”

    “The burial is the judgment. It will be buried finally,” the judge said.

    The judgment day would soon be communicated to the parties, Justice Idris added.

  • RASHIDI LADOJA a proud dad

    Former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, is in his best moments. His daughter, Grace, who is a talent manager and business enthusiast, has been honored with an MBE from the Royal Palace. The award was presented few days ago for her services to the music industry by The Prince of Wales, and Grace shared the moment on her instagram…

    ‘I received an MBE from HRH the Prince of Wales and I’m happy and emotional because the 16-year-old me would now have someone to identify with. Today my mum would have been so proud, the sacrifices she made and the struggle we went through was character building and gave me so much drive, focus & strength to keep pushing forward, cos that struggle was REAL and it made me a workaholic that wanted to push myself to greater things. UK music is amazing and I’m so happy to be a part of it. Thanks Skeppy, Shorty, Max, Sam, Radha, Paddy, Felix, T, BBK, Jonathan B and everyone that welcomed me into their world and has been on this journey with us.’

    Fun loving Grace is the founder of Metallic Inc and is regarded as one of the fastest rising entertainment executives in the UK.  She is the Manager of top British rapper, Skepta, and has been managing the rapper since 2014.