Former Governor of Oyo State and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has demanded a public apology from former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, over claims linking him to the unresolved murder of former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige.
Ladoja, addressing journalists at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, on Monday, denied Akande’s allegations, warning that failure to retract the statements could lead to legal action.
"All options will be taken, including legal action against Akande, except he withdraws his statement and tenders a public apology," Ladoja declared.
Akande’s Allegations on Bola Ige’s Murder
The controversy stems from a podcast interview featuring Chief Bisi Akande with journalist Edmund Obilo, where Akande suggested that Ladoja had information regarding Bola Ige’s assassination.
Bola Ige was murdered on December 23, 2001, at his Bodija residence in Ibadan, and the case remains unsolved 24 years later.
In the interview, Akande claimed that Ladoja withdrew a court case initiated by his predecessor, Governor Lam Adesina, in pursuit of justice for Ige’s murder.
"Lam Adesina was the Chief Security Officer of Oyo State and went to court over the matter. The governor that took over from him, Ladoja, withdrew the case from court. He might be able to tell you more about Bola Ige’s death," Akande said.
Ladoja: ‘Akande Lied Against Me’
In a strong rebuttal, Ladoja accused Akande of muddling facts and possibly suffering from memory loss due to old age.
- He denied withdrawing any case, stating that he became governor 18 months after Ige’s murder.
- He insisted that his government never interfered with the case, which was prosecuted up to the Supreme Court.
- He dismissed Akande’s narrative, adding that if Akande had vital information, he should disclose it instead of making baseless allegations.
"Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001, while I assumed office on May 29, 2003. How then could I have withdrawn the case? My government did not withdraw any case. The matter was prosecuted to the apex court."
‘I Had No Reason to Suppress Justice’
Ladoja emphasized that he had no reason to suppress the investigation, given his close relationship with Bola Ige.
"I was very close to Chief Bola Ige while he was alive. If I knew anything about his death, I would have been the one shouting from the rooftop. Why would I want the investigation suppressed?"
He also referenced Akande’s book, where Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, accused Akande of making false claims, suggesting that Akande has a history of distorting facts.
Challenges Akande to Reveal the Truth
Ladoja turned the allegations back on Akande, challenging him to disclose the full truth about Ige’s assassination.
"Akande himself said he knows many things but cannot tell the public. If he was Osun State governor at the time but did not know who removed Bola Ige’s cap at the palace, how can he claim to know what happened in Oyo State?"
Demands Public Apology or Legal Action
Ladoja issued an ultimatum to Akande:
- Retract the statement publicly.
- Offer a formal apology.
- Face legal consequences if he refuses.
"Akande must withdraw his claims and apologize, or be ready to face legal action," Ladoja warned.
This heated exchange has further reignited interest in Bola Ige’s unsolved murder, with fresh calls for a re-investigation into the case.
