The seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Muntar Abimbola has disclosed some of the allegations levelled against the now former deputy governor of Oyo State, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan.
Olaniyan’s removal followed the State Assembly’s adoption of the report of the seven-man panel who investigated the allegations of gross misconduct against the deputy governor at its plenary, on Monday.
Among the allegations raised against Olaniyan was that his company, AYOD Nigeria secured a contract and forced the diversion of N10,250,000 to his private pocket.
According to the report, a witness told the panel that he was exposed to blackmail, intimidation, harassment for refusal to forward part and divert the contract sum approved for AYOD Nigeria to his private pocket.
In what was termed, “greed, avarice and abuse of oath and office,” the report also fingered Olaniyan for failure to execute the deputy governor’s lodge due to his insistence to personally collect N40million.
Recall the Assembly, with only lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) present at the day’s plenary, approved Olaniyan’s removal from office leaning on section 188 (9) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
As read by majority leader of the Assembly, Honourable Sanjo Adedoyin, the deputy governor was found culpable, indicted of all allegations, all complaints in the Chief Kolade Molade-led panel report.
The panel had recommended the removal of the deputy governor alleging that Olaniyan ignored its summons and failed to file his defence/response to allegations levelled against him.
The panel said it was dismayed at “deliberate refusal, disregard and disrespect on the part of the respondent (Olaniyan) to appear before the panel.”
In addition, Olaniyan was removed for alleged gross insubordination.
A witness was quoted in the report as saying that the deputy governor consistently refused to attend events, occasions and state functions despite WhatsApp messages sent to him that were ticked as read.
In the meantime, Olaniyan has since yesterday been replaced by Barr. Bayo Lawal as Makinde’s New deputy.
During the time of this report all our effort to reach out to the Former Deputy Governor is Abortive.
