#LondonHome: Governor Oyetola speaks up on Pandora Papers

Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has denied allegations in Pandora Papers linking him to the purchase of a property in London.

Oyetola completely denied the allegation in a statement on Saturday issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan. The governor said he resigned his directorship of Aranda Overseas Corporation in 2011 when he was appointed Chief of Staff to the then Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Meanwhile, a report by online Premium Times claimed the Pandora Papers alleged that Governor Oyetola acquired the UK mansion in 2017 by proxy.

The governor also stated that he had no relationship whatsoever with Adebayo Aluko, the alleged owner of the said property let alone have any business transaction with him.

Oyetola stated that he had not broken any law as he resigned his Directorship of Global Investments Offshore Limited upon his appointment, in 2011.

“We have seen reports in some online media platforms concerning the PANDORA PAPERS’ allegations. This is, therefore, to set the record straight, the statement read.

“Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State, resigned his directorship of Aranda Overseas Corporation in 2011, when he took up political appointment. He also surrendered his shareholding of the same company.

“Since 2011 till date, he has had no association, dealings and business transactions with the said company, as he is neither a director nor shareholder of the said company.

“He, therefore, could not have acquired the said property in 2017 either directly or through the said company as being alleged.

“As a matter of fact, Oyetola has no relationship or link with the alleged owner of the property, Mr Kolawole Aluko, let alone go into a business dealing or transaction with him.

“He also complied fully with the law of the land by exiting Global Investments Offshore Limited, as a Director in 2011, upon his appointment as the Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola.