The Senator representing Osun West, Adelere Oriolowo, has demanded N500 million compensation and an apology from Governor Ademola Adeleke over the claim that he stole machines and transformers while he headed an agency.

He threatened to sue the state government if his demands are not met.

Following findings by the Asset Recovery Committee chaired by Dr Bashir Salami, Oriolowo was asked to return five machines to the Osun State Agricultural Development Programme (OSSADEP).

They include a motor grader, bulldozer and soil compactor.

Oriolowo, at a briefing on Tuesday, said the allegations were unfounded.

It is unfortunate that the committee that has PhD holders and medical doctors could jettison the principle of fair hearing to listen to my own side of the story before maligning my name publicly.

“The said machines, which belonged to the then OSSADEP, were in existence when I left the agency 15 years ago.

“To the best of my knowledge, some of them were transferred to the Ministry of Rural Development to assist the government.

“A simple due diligence or investigation by the committee would have unravelled the salient fact that the equipment is still the property of the Osun State Government.

“I have thus instructed my lawyers to write to the state government demanding a letter of apology within seven days and to also pay the sum of N500 million as compensation for the unquantifiable damage done to my name and integrity.

“Failure of the government to do so, I will use all legal means available to me to get justice," he said. (The Nation)

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