Former Oyo State Governor and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has strongly denied allegations made by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, regarding his purported involvement in the unresolved assassination of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige.
Ladoja asserted that he never hindered the course of justice in the high-profile murder case and emphasised that his administration had fully supported the prosecution, even taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
Akande had recently stirred controversy during an interview with veteran broadcaster Edmund Obilo in Ibadan, insinuating that Ladoja might possess crucial information about Bola Ige’s assassination. He also expressed regret that key individuals, such as former Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina, who could have shed light on the case, had since passed away.
In a sharp rebuttal, Ladoja dismissed Akande’s claims, stating that he had no knowledge of the case beyond what was publicly known. He further warned that he would explore all available options, including legal action, unless Akande retracted his statement and issued a public apology.
Ladoja said: “Chief Bola Ige was assassinated December 23rd, 2001, I got to government on 29th of May, 2003 which was 18 months after the assassination of Chief Bola Ige.
“I didn’t withdraw the case, my government didn’t withdraw any case, the case was even prosecuted till apex court, Chief Akande lied against me, this is not the first time people said he lied, someone like Baba Adebanjo even said he lied in his book.
“We are not all happy as a result of Chief Bola Ige’s death, and we are all concerned about his death, I was very close to Chief Bola Ige while alive.”