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Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, myself did not embezzle OPIC’s money: Odusolu

The former OPIC managing director is asking the EFCC to conduct a forensic audit of the corporation’s account.

• September 21, 2021
OPIC Ex-Managing Director, Babajide Odusolu and Senator Ibikunle Amosu
Ex-Managing Director, Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Babajide Odusolu and Senator Ibikunle Amosun

Ex-Managing Director of Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Babajide Odusolu, has responded to corruption allegations by the Ogun state government.

At a press conference in Ikeja on Tuesday, he asked the state government and lawmakers to tender evidence that he siphoned the corporation funds during his tenure.

Mr Odusolu, who was the MD of OPIC between 2013 and May 2019, also called for a forensic audit to be conducted by anti-corruption agencies.

He said the allegations were false, adding that every issue raised by the lawmakers were addressed when he was summoned before the assembly on October 13, 2020.

He said during the meeting, he provided clarifications on all issues asked of him, referring “technical audit and accounting queries to the DFA, who was present to address them.”

The former MD said he was challenging the management of OPIC, the Ogun state government, and the assembly, to provide evidence of missing money; to prove that he or his principal, Senator Ibikunle Amosun diverted any money.

“No money is missing, and a formal forensic audit will confirm that fact,” he said.

Mr Odusolu’s counsel, Adetunji Adedoyin, said the matter will be challenged in court, and that they will be asking the court to award them damages.

“We will definitely be approaching and if the court agrees with us, we will definitely be asking for colossal damage,” Mr Adedoyin said.

The House Committee on Public Account and Anti-Corruption, led by Musefiu Lamidi, last week asked Mr Odusolu to return N40 million unaccounted for during his tenure at OPIC.

The committee also asked anti-graft agencies to quiz him and recover an unaccounted balance of N2.5 billion belonging to the state.

The lawmakers demanded the reversal of all transactions, including the 8.2 hectares of land at Isheri sold in favour of Rainerhill Internationals Services Limited.

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