Ondo Commissioner Alleges Signature Forgery in Akeredolu’s Case: Forensic Report Unveils Shocking Details

In a startling revelation, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in Ondo State, Razaq Obe, has asserted that a forensic report has unveiled the forgery of the signature of the ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on five official documents. This shocking disclosure was made in a letter addressed to the deputy governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and made available to the media in Akure.

The unfolding saga gained momentum following recent allegations by Kayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who claimed that certain government officials in Ondo are involved in forging Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s signature on various documents. Ajulo, speaking on Arise TV, accused unidentified “cabals” of hijacking the governance of the state, alleging improper handover procedures from Akeredolu to Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Reacting to these allegations, Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akeredolu, dismissed the claims as “utterly preposterous and ludicrous,” insisting that there is no evidence to support the accusation of signature forgery.

**Commissioner’s Alarming Report**

In a detailed letter titled “Forgery Of Mr. Governor’s Signature On Official Document” dated December 7, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Razaq Obe, outlined the gravity of the situation. He expressed that the irregularities in the signature were initially detected when a file from the ministry was returned through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The commissioner revealed that out of the five files sent for the governor’s approval about two months ago, only one had been returned so far.

Upon closer inspection, Obe noticed significant disparities between the suspicious signature and handwriting and Governor Akeredolu’s known signatures and handwriting in the file. Concerned about the seriousness of the matter, he opted for a forensic review before disclosing his discovery. The forensic experts confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were indeed forged.

Despite the inherent risks, Commissioner Obe felt compelled to fulfill the obligations of his office by reporting the alarming development to Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He attached a copy of the forensic report and relevant pages from the file for reference, urging urgent and appropriate actions to address the situation.

**Governor Akeredolu’s Prolonged Absence**

It’s worth noting that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has been absent from Ondo State since June 2023 due to health reasons. After a three-month medical leave in Germany, the governor returned to Nigeria in early September and has been working from Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. Akeredolu’s extended absence has raised concerns among stakeholders, leading to a political crisis that even drew the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

As Infostride News continues to shed light on this evolving situation, the people of Ondo State await further developments and a resolution to the alleged signature forgery scandal that has rocked the state’s political landscape.