21st November, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Government has rubbished allegation by the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu took state funds to pay lawyers.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement, said Rhodes-Vivour, in a post on X, on November 19, 2023, alleged – without any proof whatsoever – that the Lagos State Government funded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s legal dispute after the March 18, 2023 election.
“This is not true. The allegation was supported by a document that neither carried the logo of the Lagos State Government nor the endorsement of any of its officials.
“It was simply another ploy to deceive the public about a non-existent payment of N50,000,000 to four lawyers.
“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinise the finances of the Lagos State Government, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth,” he said.
Omotoso said the transaction referenced by Rhodes-Vivour never took place, saying 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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will never misappropriate public funds in defiance of his Oath of Office,” he said.