The Lagos State government refuted accusations of financial wrongdoing made against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday in Ikeja by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s (LP) governorship candidate in the March 18 election.
On November 19, Rhodes-Vivour claimed on his Twitter account that Sanwo-Olu had used public funds to finance his response to the electoral petition that LP had filed to oust him.
He said that N50 million in legal fees were paid to four lawyers by the governor’s out-of-state funds.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Gbenga Omotoso, responded to the allegation, saying that Rhodes-Vivour’s claim was untrue.
“The allegation was simply another ploy to deceive the public about a non-existent payment of N50 million to four lawyers.
“While it is worthwhile for patriotic individuals to scrutinize the finances of Lagos State, the outcome of such inquiry must always be based on verified facts and nothing but the truth.
“The transaction referenced by Mr Rhodes-Vivour never took place.
“There was a payment request, which was not approved by the governor when the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice drew his attention to it because it was irregular.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Gov. Sanwo-Olu will never misappropriate public funds in defiance of his Oath of Office,’’ the commissioner said.
Omotoso pointed out that Rhodes-Vivour provided evidence for his claim in a document that lacked the official seal of the Lagos State Government and the approval of any of its representatives.