Ondo political crisis: Akeredolu’s signature forged, says Commissioner

Razaq Obe, the Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, on Friday said that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s signature was forged on an official document.

Obe, who said this in a letter written to the state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, dated 7th December, 2023 and made a copy available to journalists in Akure, said the irregularities were detected in a document returned to his ministry through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

He said he had to send the signature to forensic experts to confirm its authenticity.

However, he said it had been confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were forged.

In the letter to the deputy governor, Obe, Aiyedatiwa said; “I write to bring to your attention a critical matter that requires immediate action. It has been confirmed that Mr. Governor’s signature on a certain document has been forged.

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“The irregularities in the signature were first observed when a file from my ministry was returned through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). This is the only file returned so far out of the five files sent for Mr. Governor’s approval about two months ago.

“Upon closer inspection, I noticed significant differences between the suspicious signature and handwriting and Mr. Governor’s known signatures and handwriting in the file. Concerned about the gravity of the situation, I decided to seek a forensic review before disclosing my discovery. I sent the suspicious signature, handwriting samples, and copies of the old regular signatures to forensic experts, who have now confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were indeed forged.

“Despite the inherent risks involved, I have chosen to fulfill the obligations of my office by reporting this alarming development to you as the highest-ranking member of the State Executive Council after Mr. Governor. I firmly believe that this is the course of action our esteemed leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, would take in such a situation.

“Considering the possibility that such forgery may be widespread, this heads-up is of utmost importance to the government and people of Ondo State. I have attached a copy of the forensic report and relevant pages from the file for your reference.

“I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take appropriate actions to address the situation. It is crucial that we restore the integrity of our processes and ensure that such a disturbing development is swiftly punctuated.”