Politics
How Ladoja used Oyo’s N4.7B to fight being impeached –Ex-aide
Former Oyo State governor, Rasheed Ladoja’s ex-aide, Adewale Atanda, on Friday testified before the Federal High Court in Lagos on how his erstwhile boss diverted part of N4.7billion he was accused to have looted during his reign to prevent being impeached.
Atanda, testifying for the prosecution, told the court that Ladoja gave directive that Oyo State’s shares be sold and that N634million, which was part of the commission and profit realised by stockbrokers handling the shares’ sale, used as slush funds to prevent the erstwhile governor’s impeachment.
He said the N634million was delivered to him by the stockbrokers.
The witness then explained that he removed N180million from the sum, which he had earlier borrowed and spent on Ladoja’s instructions during the heat of the impeachment saga.
According to Atanda, part of the N180million, was the N80million he obtained from Wema Bank Plc, which Ladoja made use of in purchasing 22 vehicles for Oyo State lawmakers to prevent his impeachment.
He said he obtained another loan of N80million from Lagoon Savings and Loans, which the former governor used to buy a property at Quarters 361, which the Oyo State Government put up for sale.
He further revealed that there was also N13.8million which Ladoja used to buy two Land Cruisers for the state security personnel for his protection.
Read also: OSINBAJO: Corruption caused world’s gravest humanitarian crisis in N/E Nigeria
Upon Ladoja’s instructions, Atanda said he deducted the N180million which he borrowed on Ladoja’s behalf and distributed the balance of the N634million.
Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned until April 12 and 13.
Atanda was Ladoja’s senior special executive assistant during his days as Oyo State governor.
Ladoja is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who re-arraigned him for allegedly converting state funds to his personal use.
The first time Ladoja was arraigned was eight years ago.
He was charged along with Waheed Akanbi on eight counts of money laundering and unlawful conversion of public funds.
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