The current administration in Osun State has reaffirmed its commitment to recovering properties believed to have been unlawfully taken by political appointees of the previous Adegboyega Oyetola administration. The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, reiterated this stance during a press conference held in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Igbalaye clarified that the assets committee established by Governor Addemola Adeleke, tasked with the recovery process, was not intended to target individuals unfairly. He explained that the Task Force on Recovery of Assets of Government properties has been actively working to retrieve alleged stolen vehicles and other government properties by former political appointees.
The governor, during the inauguration of the Task Force on Recovery of Assets and Government Project Vehicles on February 14, 2024, emphasized the urgent need to reclaim government assets and project vehicles unlawfully taken during the previous administration.
Furthermore, Igbalaye highlighted that careful consideration was being given to determine which vehicles and assets were lawfully permissible to be taken home and which were unlawfully taken. He mentioned that the governor had the discretion to allow political appointees to retain their official vehicles under certain conditions, such as serving for at least two years and making a payment to the government.
Additionally, he addressed the claim that the previous Head of Service’s directive allowing political appointees to take home official vehicles was illegal. Igbalaye dismissed allegations from the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) that the asset recovery committee was biased and aimed at targeting the opposition, emphasizing that all government assets not covered by specific provisions must be recovered.
In summary, the Osun State government is determined to recover unlawfully taken properties while ensuring fairness and adherence to due process.