ABEOKUTA- FORMER Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over alleged corruption while in office, has accused unnamed individuals and groups of deliberately planting stories and peddling inaccurate reports meant to paint him in bad light and give the impression of guilt even before the conclusion of his trial at an Abeokuta High Court.

Speaking through Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo, his Media Assistant, Daniel appealed to all concerned to allow the rule of law to prevail and the cause of justice to be served.

According to the statement, “In the last few days, especially following the arraignment of the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, we have noticed a deliberate planting of stories and peddling of inaccurate reports meant to paint the former governor in bad light and give the impression of guilt even before the conclusion of the trial at an Abeokuta High Court.

“For instance one of those who were said to have been arrested by the EFCC, Mr. Wale Ajisebutu, Managing Director of the 21st Century Technologies Limited, was described in various reports as an associate of Otunba Daniel. There is no truth whatsoever in that claim as the man in question is actually linked to a former governor of the state who served before the tenure of Daniel.

“Before the arraignment, the news making the round was that N58 billion was involved in the allegation brought against the governor but at the beginning of the trial the sum total of the allegation brought by the EFCC amounted to less than N5 billion. And it should be noted that the case against the former governor remains an allegation until otherwise determined by the court. Contrary to the information being peddled, no member of the administration of Otunba Daniel has been arrested.”

“Some of the names being bandied in the public domain as having been arrested have not even been contacted to make clarifications by the agency let alone being arrested. We believe that the deliberate attempt to try and convict Otunba Daniel via the media is the handiwork of some powerful vested interests who want the former Governor out of circulation at all costs.

“From the various simulations and deliberately concocted stories making the round it is obvious that certain individuals and interests are trying hard to use the ongoing trial to score cheap political points and ultimately assails the reputation of the former governor the outcome of the trial notwithstanding.

“Now that the case against him is in court, we want to appeal all and sundry to allow the rule of law to prevail and the cause of justice to be served. We believe that ultimately those stoking the propaganda against Otunba Daniel for purely political purposes will fail to achieve their evil agenda.”