The Lagos State Government has refuted claims by the Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, that the State Governor, Sanwo-Olu funded his post election legal battles with state funds.
Commissioner of Information, Gbenga Omotoso, has in a public statement debunked the claims, adding that it was just a decoy to deceive Lagosians.
Omotoso also affirmed that a request was made, but was dismissed after some disparities were reported by the attorney general of the state.
He also urged all those making financial investigations to do so based on true and verified facts.
The statement read
, “A post on ‘X’ by Labour Party (LP) candidate Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, 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.
The transaction referenced by Mr. Rhodes-Vivour never took place. There was a payment request, which was not approved by Mr. Governor when the Honourable 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”.
