The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has threatened to sue a lawyer, Hassan Oladotun, for allegedly circulating a report maliciously designed to disqualify him from participating in the state governorship primary election.
Oladotun had on June 2, 2023, petitioned the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the academic credentials of the governor.
After the conclusion of the investigation, the lawyer filed a Freedom of Information request through which he received a copy of the investigation report.
A copy of the report obtained by our correspondent addressed to Oladotun and signed by DCP Tahir Usman, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, stated that the police investigation into Aiyedatiwa’s O’level certificate did not find evidence that the Ondo Governor attended Ikoyi High School, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos.
However, the police in a statement on Friday by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, denied the authenticity of the report.
In response to the police denial, Oladotun petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission, insisting that the report was authentic, adding that he received a copy of the report through a Freedom of Information he filed.
In the petition dated April 5, which was obtained by our correspondent, Oladotun called for the intervention of the IG and the PSC to prevent the report of the investigation from being altered.
In a new turn of events, the governor, through his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa(SAN), said Aiyedatiwa sat for the West African School Certificate Examination and his results were genuine.
In a letter dated April 8, 2024, and addressed to Oladotun, a copy which was obtained by our correspondent on Monday, Adegboruwa said steps were taken to confirm the allegations against the governor which had been proved to be untrue.
“Upon your chorused repetition of this falsehood against our client, we took steps to conduct a verification exercise and indeed confirmed the authenticity of his West African School Certificate Examination results. We challenge you to proceed to do the same with the following particulars:
Name of the Candidate: Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; Centre Number: 15592; Examination Number: 019; Centre: Ikosi High School, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos State.
Date of Examination: May/June, GCE O/L, 1982.
“The search will bring out the following results in favour of our Client: English Language: 8; Bible Knowledge: 6; Economics: 4; Health Science: 8; Commerce: 3; Accounts: 7; Business Management: 8,’’ the letter partly read.
The governor, through Adegboruwa, demanded a public apology from Oladotun to be published in three newspapers.
Adegboruwa said, “In the light of all the foregoing, we have the instructions of our client to demand from you as follows:
“A public apology to be published in at least three newspapers with wide circulation all over Nigeria.
“An unconditional withdrawal of all false and malicious publications made of and concerning the West African School Certificate Examination result of our client.
“An unconditional withdrawal of your letters to the Nigeria Police Force in respect of the West African School Certificate Examination results of our client.
“An unconditional withdrawal of your letters to the All Progressives Congress in respect of the West African School Certificate Examination results of our Client.
“An conditional withdrawal of your letters to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in respect of the West African School Certificate Examination results of our Client.”
Adegboruwa also demanded compensation for the false publications made against the governor.
He said, “Adequate compensation for the false and libelous publications made of and concerning our client based on his status, position in life, and political career. To cease and desist from authoring, publishing, or in any other manner circulating further false and libelous publications of and concerning our client.”
Adegboruwa, however, noted that should Oladotun fail to meet their demands seven days after receiving the letter, the governor would institute legal action against him.
He said, “Take notice that if you fail, refuse, and/or neglect to comply with the above-stated demands within seven clear days of your receipt of this letter, we shall proceed to execute our client’s further instructions to explore all lawful means to seek redress against you without further notice to you.”
