Olayiwola Matthew
Olayiwola Oshunrinade
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been informed by Oyomesi chiefs, Lamidi Oyewale and Asimiyu Atanda, that Lukman Gbadegesin offered each of the five kingmakers N15 million during the Alaafin selection process.
This revelation came to light when S.M. Galadanchi, the EFCC counsel, addressed a high court in Oyo State, stating that Atanda and Oyewale admitted to the EFCC that the kingmakers chose Lukman Gbadegesin as the Alaafin candidate after receiving the N15 million offer.
In a related development, a Federal High Court in Ibadan dismissed an application filed by five Oyo kingmakers to stop the EFCC from investigating them.
Justice Ekerete Akpan delivered five separate judgments, emphasizing that the EFCC cannot be restrained from performing its constitutional duty to investigate suspected financial crimes.
The Oyomesi chiefs, comprising Yusuf Ayoola (Basorun), Lamidi Oyewale (Sanu), Asimiyu Atanda (Agbaakin), Hamzat Yusuf (Akinniku), and Wakeel Oyedapo, had claimed that the Oyo State Government was using the EFCC to persecute them.
However, Justice Akpan dismissed their application, stating that the EFCC’s intention to investigate the N15 million bribery allegation does not constitute harassment.
It is worth noting that Lukman Gbadegesin has a history of questionable business dealings, including accumulating multi-million debts for a business partner, as exposed by FIJ.
The EFCC’s investigation into the bribery allegations is ongoing.