How contractor supplied N114m obsolete printing press

former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola

Shocking confessions have continued to emerge at the sitting of a panel of inquiry set up by Osun State government to probe how N18.38bn was obtained by the Olagunsoye Oyinlola administration.


The panel, among other things, is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the N18.38bn bond, which was obtained from the United Bank for Africa in 2010; and recommend appropriate sanctions for contractors and officials who are found wanting.

A government printer, Mr. Gilbert Adewoye, on Thursday, told the panel that out of the amount, N114m was spent by the administration to purchase used printing press machine for the Osun State Ministry of Information.

Adewoye, who testified on oath, alleged that he was threatened with death by some government officials when he raised objections about the state of the printing press.

He said, “I kicked against the installation of the equipment, but they said they would go and report me to the governor. The printing machines were not new, they were used machines.

“I was told not to say anything about the state of the machines. They all knew the bad situation of the machines, but they refused to say the truth.”

But the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Dr. Olumide Babatunde, who was absolved of blame by the panel, queried the soundness of Adewoye’s mind and submission.

Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mr. Mudasiru Oyeniran, said the Bureau of Public Procurement was responsible for the processes leading to the award of the contract.

Some principal officers, who had testified before the commission had pointed accusing fingers at the Director-General, BPP, Mr. Gbenga Abiola, based on the way contracts were awarded; but they all could not substantiate their claims.

Abiola said the Due Process Office and BPP, which he headed, were mere clearing houses and denied awarding any contracts.

Meanwhile, a former Ambassador to China, Chief Gunju Adesakin, admitted that his company, Sino-De Gratitude, failed to the supply 400 tricycles that he ordered on behalf of state government.