…..Lagos State dismisses Rhodes-Vivour’s allegation
By Florence Onuegbu
Lagos State government on Tuesday in Ikeja dismissed allegations of financial impropriety levelled against Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu by Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the March 18 election.
Rhodes-Vivour had alleged on his Twitter handle on Nov. 19, that Sanwo-Olu funded his response in the election petition filed by LP against his election using government’s money.
He alleged that the governor paid four lawyers N50 million from the state’s coffers.
Responding to the allegation, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said there was no truth in Rhodes-Vivour’s allegation.
“The allegation was simply another ploy to deceive the public about a non-existent payment of N50 million to four lawyers.
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“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinise the finances of Lagos State, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth.
“The transaction referenced by Mr Rhodes-Vivour never took place.
“There was a payment request, which was not approved by the governor when the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice drew his attention to it because it was irregular.
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“For the avoidance of doubt, Gov. Sanwo-Olu will never misappropriate public funds in defiance of his Oath of Office,’’ the commissioner said.
Omotoso noted that Rhodes-Vivour’s supported his allegation with a document that neither carried the logo of the Lagos State Government nor the endorsement of any of its officials. (NAN)