Former Oyo State Governor and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has strongly denied claims made by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, regarding the assassination of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige.
Speaking to journalists at his Ondo Street residence in Ibadan, Ladoja stated that Akande’s accusations were false. The controversy began over the weekend when Akande suggested that Ladoja might have key information about Ige’s murder, which remains unsolved more than two decades later.
Ladoja firmly rejected the allegations, stating, “Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001, 18 months before I assumed office. I became governor on May 29, 2003, and Chief Ige was killed on December 23, 2001, which was 18 months before my tenure began.”
He further clarified that his administration had no involvement in the withdrawal of any case related to Ige’s murder, noting that the case was pursued all the way to the Supreme Court. “I didn’t withdraw the case. My government didn’t withdraw any case,” he said.
Expressing his disappointment, Ladoja accused Akande of repeatedly spreading falsehoods.
He said, “Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001, 18 months before I assumed office. I became governor on May 29, 2003, and Chief Ige was killed on December 23, 2001, which was 18 months before my tenure began.
“I didn’t withdraw the case. My government didn’t withdraw any case.
“The case was even prosecuted up to the Supreme Court. Chief Akande lied against me, and he is old. This is not his first time. People say he lies. Even Baba Adebanjo said he lied in his book.
“We are all deeply saddened by Ige’s death. We are all concerned about his murder; I was very close to Chief Bola Ige when he was alive.”
