Akeredolu Reports Ex-Deputy To Police Over Refusal To Return Govt Vehicles

The crisis between Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his erstwhile deputy, Hon Agboola Ajayi took a new turn on Tuesday as Akeredolu petitioned the police against Ajayi.

Akeredolu in his petition said Ajayi has refused to return government vehicles in his possession despite several entreaties for him to do so.

Akeredolu’s letter of petition, addressed to the state Police Command and signed on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties & Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale wants the police to intervene and ensure the return of the vehicles.

The letter said Ajayi’s refusal to return the vehicles has deprived the new deputy governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa of access to official vehicles.

It listed the vehicles still in possession of Ajayi as Land Cruiser SUV, New Toyota Hilux, New Toyota Hilux, and Toyota Hilux.”

The letter reads: “Our Office has the firm directive of the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, to recover all government properties still in the possession of former political office holders in the state, especially those who served in the immediate past administration.

“Our record confirms that Mr Agboola Ajayi, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Ondo State, is still holding on to four vehicles owned by the government.

“All entreaties to him to return these vehicles, for the use of the incumbent occupier of the office, have been rebuffed.

“Please, Sir, find attached copies of the letters dated 16th February 2021 and 1st March 2021 respectively.

“We lodge this complaint believing that you will use your good offices to look into this brazen act of conversion, and this is being charitable.

“Any person who keeps/detains the property of another with the intent to deprive the owner, permanently, of the usufruct right conferred therefrom, has committed an offence known in law as stealing.

“The vehicles in Mr Ajayi’s possession, unlawfully, are; Land Cruiser SUV, New Toyota Hilux, New Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hilux.”

Meanwhile, Ajayi in his immediate reaction to the development, said he would wait for official communication from the police on the matter.

Reacting through his media aide, Allen Sowore, Ajayi said he would speak on the matter at the right time.

He said, “I will be waiting for the official communication from the police.”

It will be recalled that Akeredolu and Ajayi fell out before the end of their first tenure with Ajayi contesting against his former boss in the October 2020 Ondo governorship election.

Akeredolu also picked Lucky Ayedatiwa as his new running mate and secured a second term as Ondo Governor with a new deputy.