In response to a social media post by Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Lagos State government has refuted claims that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu used N200 million from state funds to pay his legal fees.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, dismissed the allegations as false and an attempt to deceive the public.
Omotoso addressed the issue on X platform, stating that the November 19, 2023 post lacked proof and relied on a document without the official endorsement of the Lagos State Government. He clarified that the referenced transaction, involving an alleged N50 million payment to four lawyers, never occurred.
The statement read, “A post on ‘X’ by Labour Party, LP, candidate Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on November 19, 2023, alleged -without any proof whatsoever- that the Lagos State government funded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s legal dispute after the March 18, 2023 election. This is not true.
“The allegation was supported by a document that neither carried the logo of the Lagos State Government nor the endorsement of any of its officials.
“It was simply another ploy to deceive the public about a non-existent payment of N50 million to four lawyers,” he added.
“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinise the finances of the Lagos State Government, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth.
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“The transaction referenced by Mr Rhodes-Vivour never took place. There was a payment request, which was not approved by Mr Governor when the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice drew his attention to it because it was irregular.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Sanwo-Olu will never misappropriate public funds in defiance of his Oath of Office,” he emphasized.