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Tag: Rashidi Ladoja

  • Oyo APC accuses Ladoja in Ibadan chieftaincy crisis escalation

    Oyo APC accuses Ladoja in Ibadan chieftaincy crisis escalation

    •Ex-governor to party: you’re mischievous

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has attributed the crisis on the review of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law to the alleged ambition of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.

    The party said the former governor was allegedly taking advantage of the situation to broaden his personal interest and fight a needless war with his perceived political adversaries.

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olawale Sadare, APC condemned Ladoja’s alleged role in the organisation and the violence that followed the installation of some village heads (baales) and family heads (mogajis) at the Popoyemoja palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Monday.

    The statement reads: “It is most unfortunate to discover that a former number one citizen of a state like Oyo, who doubles as an Ibadan high chief, would not mind subjecting the state to another social unrest just to satisfy his own whims and caprices. Senator Rashidi Ladoja has a known history of instigating resentment against people, government and institutions to derive some personal benefits, as he did in 2002/2003 against the government of late Alhaji Lam Adesina.

    “This time, he is up again to fight his way back to the Agodi Government House, after he tried and failed twice in 2011 and 2015. At 73, one wonders why Ladoja would start up many fights on many fronts only when another general election was approaching, if not that he has his eyes on contesting election. As he is struggling to dislodge original members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and usurp the party’s structure, Ladoja is also waging a war against the APC government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi and he has just discovered a tool in the Olubadan palace.

    “The Monday violence at Popoyemoja was a script written by Ladoja and his supporters to either whip up sentiment against the government and other members of the Olubadan-in-Council or deal with some characters within the ill-conceived political re-alignment, those who could stand on Ladoja’s way towards taking full control of the PDP. But we would like to urge relevant security agencies to do the needful by unravelling the mystery surrounding the unfortunate incident.

    “There are many questions begging for answers: when did Ladoja become so over-bearing on the palace that he would now dictate who to be installed as what by the kabiyesi and even choose his birthday for such event? Why was it that he arranged for the presence of his loyalists, like Senator Olufemi Lanlehin at the palace with whom he hid somewhere until after the ‘invading gunmen’ finished their attacks?

    “More importantly, the public should be informed that the protests against the recent chieftaincy law review have largely come from politicians who are sympathetic to Ladoja’s cause and their supporters. However, we call on Oba Saliu Adetunji to checkmate some unscrupulous politicians who lurk around and use the palace to fight political war since he would forever remain a father to all and sundry, irrespective of individuals’ political and religious beliefs.”

     

  • Olubadan: Judge transfers Ladoja’s case to CJ

    Olubadan: Judge transfers Ladoja’s case to CJ

    There is a twist to the case by former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja against review of the Olubadan 1959 Chieftaincy Declaration.

    Justice M. I. Sule of Oyo State High Court has transferred the matter to the Chief Judge, Justice M. Abimbola.

    In a ruling at the resumed hearing yesterday, the judge said she would not want to start a case she won’t finish before the court’s vacation on September 12.

    Justice Sule said she had two rulings pending before her, which she must dispense with before the vacation.

    According to her, the chief judge will know what to do with the matter.

    Justice Sule is the second judge to handle the matter earlier assigned to Justice Diran Akintola, who allegedly refused to hear an ex parte application meant to stop the panel from sitting.

    This prompted Ladoja to petition the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.

    Following the CJN’s intervention, the case was re-assigned to Justice Sule before who parties appeared on August 21 to hear a contempt charge against Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Justice Akintunde Boade, who chaired the panel.

    Ladoja’s lead counsel Michael Lana yesterday accused the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Oluwaseun Abimbola, of refusing to file the processes timeously to aid conclusion of the process of installing the obas on time.

    Lana reminded the court the defendant had issues with the letters of appointment to the 21 obas and “purportedly held a coronation ceremony, which was heavily advertised and shown live on television”.

    The lawyer said all actions the governor had taken on the matter constituted contempt, which the court condemned in several instances.

    He submitted that such must not be allowed to go unpunished.

    Lana requested the judge to stand down the matter for 30 minutes to enable him to file a response to the preliminary objection filed and served yesterday by the attorney-general.

    But Abimbola shrugged off the allegation of delaying the process.

    The lawyer argued there is an amendment to the reliefs sought by the claimant.

    He said this structurally affected the originating summons, which informed the delay in filing some processes.

    Abimbola said the contempt application filed by Ladoja’s lawyer was based on sentiment, adding that the claimant’s lawyer should not give the impression the State High Court was winding down because of vacation.

  • Court adjourns hearing on Olubadan chieftaincy review

    Court adjourns hearing on Olubadan chieftaincy review

    An Oyo State High Court on Monday adjourned hearing in the case filed by former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, against the panel reviewing the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration till September 5.

    Ladoja, who is the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, asked the court  to set aside the report submitted to Governor Abiola Ajimobi by the Justice O.A Akintunde – led Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the review.

    The panel, which was inaugurated on May 19 with the mandate to, among others, review the process leading to the emergence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, submitted its report to the governor on Friday.

    It recommended the crowning of 32 obas in Ibadan with the Olubadan as the paramount ruler.

    Lead counsel to Ladoja, Mr. Michael Lana, in a motion filed before Justice M.I Sule, asked the court to nullify the proceedings of the panel and its report.

    Lana also prayed the court to compel Justice Boade and members of the panel to appear before it to explain why they should not be punished for contempt.

    But the motion could not be moved as the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwaseun Abimbola, who appeared for Governor Ajimobi, said the governor was yet to be served with the processes.

    But the application to have the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, removed from the suit was moved by Lana.

    Balogun, who initially filed the suit with Ladoja, later opted out of the matter.

     

  • Ladoja’s fraud trial resumes

    Ladoja’s fraud trial resumes

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday adjourned until March 31, the trial of a former Governor of Oyo State, Rashidi Ladoja, charged with N4.7 billion fraud.

    Ladoja is charged alongside one of his aides, Waheed Akanbi.

    They are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge bordering on fraud.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case, which was earlier slated for continuation of trial, could not proceed on Monday, as judges were said to be attending a conference.

    The court’s registrar consequently, fixed a new trial date as March 31.

    NAN recalls that EFCC had in November 2008 arraigned the accused on 10 counts of conspiring to convert properties and resources derived from an alleged illegal act, with the intention of concealing their illicit origin.

    The EFCC also alleged that Ladoja used N42 million out of the proceeds to purchase an Armoured Land Cruiser Jeep, and remitted about 600,000 pounds to one Bimpe Ladoja in London.

    Ladoja and Akanbi, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

     

  • Late Adebayo was a peacemaker, patriot, says Ladoja

    Former Oyo State Governor, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja on Wednesday described the late Maj.- Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo as a dynamic leader and peacemaker.

    Ladoja made the remark while on a condolence visit to the Lagos home of late Adebayo in Ikeja GRA.

    “I was privileged to have sat on the chair which General used when he was the Administrator of the whole western region,” Ladoja said.

    According to him, he still learned from some of Adebayo’s actions, even though he was there decades after the late elder-statesman left.

    “His activities in the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) stand him out as forward looking; not someone who was imprisoned by ideas of the yesteryears.

    “He hardly forgot things. The late general loved the Yoruba nation. He was always unbiased and was very dynamic. Whenever we quarreled, he was a stabilising force; he was a peace maker,” Ladoja said.

    The former Oyo governor said that Adebayo was a symbol of unity and patriotism.

    Ladoja urged present political and religious leaders to pursue peace and patriotism to move the country forward.

    Notable dignitaries have continued to pay condolence visits to the late Adebayo’s residence to commiserate with his family.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adebayo, former governor of the defunct Western Region and Western State from 1966 to 1971, died on March 8, the eve of his 89th birthday.

     

  • Tribunal to deliver judgment on Ladoja’s petition Tuesday

    Tribunal to deliver judgment on Ladoja’s petition Tuesday

    The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ibadan will on Tuesday deliver judgment in Sen. Rasidi Ladoja’s petition.

    Ladoja, the governorship candidate of Accord Party, is challenging the victory of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in April 11 polls.

    He joined APC, INEC and the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Rufus Akeju, as co-respondents.

    The Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Richard Ogunwole (SAN), had urged the tribunal to nullify Ajimobi’s election and declared his client as the winner of the election or order a rerun.

    Ogunwole contended that the election was marred by irregularities and malpractices.

    But, Mr Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Counsel to Ajimobi, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, saying that it lacked merit and facts.

    The tribunal Chairman, Justice Mohammed Mayaki, had on Sept. 30 after the adoption of the written addresses promised that the date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties.

  • Stop lying, Oyo APC tells Ladoja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has told ex-Governor Rashidi Ladoja to stop lying against the Abiola Ajimobi administration in his bid to get voters’ sympathy.

    In a statement in Ibadan by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC reiterated its threat to force Ladoja into retirement by denying him or his sponsored candidates any victory in the elections.

    “The outcome of last Saturday’s elections obviously left Ladoja bewildered because he had hoped that the lies he either told personally or sponsored to set the people against the APC worked against him.

    “But rather than being sober and remorseful, he raised his game and came up with more lies to discredit Ajimobi.

    “Accord Party agents are all over spreading wicked rumours. They said that should Ajimobi be re-elected, he would sack some workers, carry out a demolition of legal structures, increase taxes and rule as a dictator. But these unscrupulous elements could not back up their claims with any proof.

    “Few days ago, some supposed Ladoja-for-Governor campaigners were sighted around Olodo where they told residents that APC members were thumbprinting ballot papers meant for the April 11 election. Some discerning residents told them to report the case to the media and security agencies but they could not do so because they knew it was a false alarm.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Ajimobi has improved the lot of teachers and civil servants more his predecessors’. Never had he embark on anti-masses policies and he would not contemplate such when re-elected.

    “We would like to remind Ladoja that the reasons his Accord Party failed to record any significant success in last Saturday’s polls are still there to make him suffer heavy defeat on Aprill 11.

    “Voters cannot forget  how he exposed them to danger as a result of avoidable political turmoil from 2003 to 2011.”

  • Ajimobi, Ladoja bicker over N500m loot

    Ajimobi, Ladoja bicker over N500m loot

    did former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja return N500million to the government’s coffers? Governor Abiola Ajimobi insisted yesterday that Ladoja returned the money, a claim the former governor denied.

    They spoke during  a governorship debate organised by a private radio station, Splash FM, at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

    It was attended by academics, captains of industries, politicians, students, and members of the international community.

    Also in attendance were two other candidates- Seyi Makinde of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Teslim Folarin of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is seeking re-election in the February 28 poll in which Ladoja is also contesting on the platform of the Accord Party (AP).

    Responding to a question on whether or not Ladoja returned the money through the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , Ajimobi answered in the affirmative, saying the return was acknowledged by his administration.

    Ajimobi said Ladoja decided to return the money when he (Ladoja) entered into a plea bargain with the anti-graft agency.

    “I have to say this over and over again and I will continue to say it that he(Ladoja) returned the money to the Oyo State government.”

    But Ladoja said he never returned any money, adding that the cheques published by the government were not his.

    To buttress his statement, the Accord governorship candidate said the money in question was returned in May.

    Ladoja also claimed that the controversy regarding the money was nothing but a ploy to tarnish his reputation.

    “The principal actor then said he was asked to taint my holier than thou image,” he said.

    Dismissing the plea bargain claim, the former governor said he had sued the government.

    But the governor stood his ground, maintaining that he (Ladoja) returned over N500million to the government.

    On the Mokola Bridge, the two candidates also traded words over the contract sum, which Ladoja argued was inflated by Ajimobi.

    The governor told the audience that the cost of the bridge was relatively cheap when compared with others.

    He said: “Without any reservation the price of Mokola Bridge is relatively cheap.”

    The former governor said for every N1 spent on the bridge done in Ogun State, Oyo spent N6, noting that the Ogun State bridge was double lane with trailers passing through.

    Ajimobi said there is a difference between a bridge and a flyover.

    “Ogun State bridge is 11.2 meter by width, our own is over 500 meters. So, egbon (elder brother) you don’t have the facts on what you are saying on Mokola flyover.”

    He challenged Ladoja to go and cross check the facts.

  • You’ll be retired in Feb, APC tells Ladoja

    You’ll be retired in Feb, APC tells Ladoja

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has said former Governor Rashidi Ladoja will be unceremoniously retired from politics when he is defeated in the February 28 election.

    Ladoja is the governorship candidate of Accord.

    In defending his principal, Ladoja, who was accused of taking a $1.2million bribe from the Presidency, the Director-General of the Ladoja Campaign Organisation, Adeolu Adeleke, was quoted to have called the APC State Chairman, Akin Oke, some unprintable names.

    But in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, the APC faulted Adeleke ‘s  “mudslinging and character assassination”.

    “It is unfathomable that the best anyone can do to defend his godfather is to call the APC chairman a drunk. Even if the APC leader is a drunk, how does that affect the issue of the $1.2million which Ladoja “collected” from President Jonathan?

    “On moral grounds, what could have qualified a defender of Ladoja to cast aspersion on anyone when the Accord Party leader is known to be incorrigible and impervious? In him, Oyo had a governor who would doze off at important meetings after drinking.

    “The likes of Adeolu Adeleke will soon be stranded when Ladoja who he follows with reckless dogma is handed the most shocking defeat of his life in the February 28 election and thus forced to retire unceremoniously from politics.

    “ Ladoja and his co-travellers would have no sympathy from electorate this time because they have his true picture now.”

  • Ladoja emerges Oyo Accord candidate

    Ladoja emerges Oyo Accord candidate

    FORMER Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja was confirmed yesterday as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in next year’s election.

    In what was a mere affirmation of his candidacy, Ladoja polled 1,692 votes to emerge winner in the race, in which he had no opponent.

    During his acceptance speech, Ladoja said his emergence marked the beginning of a big struggle that would end with the election.

    He said: “This is not the victory itself, but the beginning of the struggle taking us into 2015 election.

    “The beauty of AP is that it is violence-free. We do not believe in sharing money or spending money excessively on elections, as it is done in other parties.”