Asset Recovery: We Shall Abide by the Express Provisions of the Law, Says Osun SSG

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), who doubles as the Chairman of the Osun State Asset Recovery Committee, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, yesterday  assured the people of the state that the committee would adhere strictly to the rule of law while carrying out its mandate in the recovery of government assets illegally taken away by the immediate-past administration.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference held at the Exco’s Lounge of the Governor, Igbalaye said due diligence would remain a priority of the government in carrying its duties.

He further stressed that the press conference was called to have a clear picture of the situation, stating that the Osun people should not see this as a means to witch -hunt the past administration.

According to him “It was imperative for the committee to go through due process after the inauguration. Government property like vehicles and buildings which were illegally possessed must be returned to the Osun State Government immediately.”

The SSG, while speaking, reiterated critical observations by the task force in a meeting held recently, which included: “That due diligence should be done with a view to ascertaining vehicles and assets that were lawfully permissible to be taken home from those illegally taken away.

“That the governor had the prerogative power to allow any political appointee go home with his/her official vehicle, having served for at least a period of two years and payment of some amount of money into the coffers of the government, and if the vehicle was less than four years old, the appointee would pay 10 percent of the residual value of such official vehicle.

“That the approval granted by the immediate-past overnor for the release and eventual ownership of the official vehicles (Kia cars) allocated to members of the immediate-past Osun State Executive Council followed due process.

“That the letter of permission written by the immediate past Head of Service, directing political appointees of the immediate-past administration to go home with the official vehicles allocated to them was, however, illegal.”

He added: “Consequently, all government assets/vehicles that are hitherto in the possession of the political appointees of the immediate-past administration, which are not captured in the express provisions of the paragraphs ii and iii above are deemed to have been illegally carted away, and such must be returned to the Osun State Government immediately.”

While responding to questions of ease and means of the recovery, the SSG maintained that the task force consists of legal and security representatives, who are mandated to make sure that operations are carried out in respect to the rule of law.

He said: “We have legal and security representatives. They are in this committee to make sure that the rule of law takes preeminence.”

The SSG assured everyone that the public would be kept abreast of developments as events continues to unfold.