The Ondo State Government has issued an order to all those in possession of government property in the state to return them.
The order was given on Friday over the high number of its property in the hands of private individuals one year after the death of the ex-Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
To this end, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kayode Ajulo has ordered those in possession of the government’s property unlawfully to return them immediately.
The Attorney General who gave the order in a statement he issued in Akure, the state capital, said anyone who failed to return the assets would be made to face the wrath of the law.
The statement read, “One year after the untimely passing of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a significant portion of the state’s assets had been unlawfully transferred into private hands. This is unacceptable.
“During a candid review of the past year under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as attorney general, I must say, this is wrong; we cannot continue on this path.
“As the chief law officer of the state, I must ensure that Ondo State operates within the framework of our constitution and laws. Our law enforcement and regulatory agencies must be fully accountable.”
Ajulo also expressed concern over attempts to withhold crucial information from Aiyedatiwa, warning that efforts to silence inquiries through blackmail and baseless accusations against the governor and some of his commissioners would not be tolerated.
He said “Only the guilty should fear.”
The AG alleged that Aiyedatiwa administration encountered resistance when questions were raised as some vested interests had been alleging that the governor was tarnishing the memory of the late Akeredolu and attacking his nuclear and political family, saying ” Some of these individuals have resorted to media attacks, yet they fail to explain why they continuously react without provocation.”
“Arakunrin Akeredolu I knew would never have allowed state funds to be exploited like this,” he stressed .
The commissioner called on those involved in the misappropriation of assets to come forward or face the full force of the law.
He called for a comprehensive audit of state assets, in order to restore “accountability and due process and ensure that public resources are effectively used for the benefit of all citizens of Ondo State.”