Former Oyo State Governor and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, has strongly refuted claims made by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, regarding his alleged role in obstructing justice in the murder case of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige.
Akande, in a recent interview with veteran broadcaster Edmund Obilo in Ibadan, suggested that Ladoja might have vital information about the unresolved assassination of Bola Ige. He further lamented that key figures who could have provided insights, including former Oyo State Governor Lam Adesina, had passed away.
Responding to the allegations, Ladoja dismissed Akande’s claims as false and baseless, emphasizing that he had no knowledge of the case beyond publicly available information. He also clarified that his administration did not interfere with the prosecution of the case, which continued to the Supreme Court.
“Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001. I assumed office as governor on May 29, 2003, which was 18 months after his assassination,” Ladoja stated. “I did not withdraw any case, and my government did not interfere in the prosecution. The case was pursued to the apex court.”
Ladoja accused Akande of spreading falsehoods and warned that he would consider legal action unless Akande retracts his statement and issues a public apology.
He reiterated his close relationship with Bola Ige while the late minister was alive, stating that he, like many Nigerians, remains deeply concerned about the circumstances surrounding Ige’s assassination.
The controversy has reignited discussions about the unresolved murder case, which has remained a subject of public interest for over two decades.
