Pandora Papers: Gov. Oyetola reacts to £11m London mansion

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State has refuted any link with the detected property in London, United Kingdom, in the Pandora paper report. The governor declared as unfounded and untrue, the report linking him to the purchase of a property in London, United Kingdom (UK).

Governor Oyetola stated that he resigned from the company, Aranda Overseas Corporation, which was identified to be allegedly used to acquire the detected property in 2011 on his appointment as Chief of Staff to then Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.

The Governor also denied any relationship with Kolawole Aluko, the alleged owner of the property, and insisted that he has no business transaction with Aluko.

Governor Oyetola, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, argued that he had not broken any law; indicating that he resigned his Directorship of Global Investments Offshore Limited on his appointment in 2011.

The global Pandora Papers reporting project, led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which PREMIUM TIMES is a key participant, in their reports alleged that Governor Oyetola bought the Grove End London Mansion from Kola Aluko at the cost of £11 million for the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The report alleged that the mansion where Tinubu hosted President Muhammadu Buhari and other influential Nigerians in London, UK, has been enmeshed in a multi-billion fraud scandal. The Nigerian government under the leadership of President  Buhari was said to have secured an order from a Federal High Court to freeze the property before the previous owner sold it at a huge discount to an offshore company owned by the Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State. The governor was identified as a known proxy and a relative of Tinubu. Aluko was said to be on the run, currently, an international fugitive.

Governor Oyetola reiterating his innocence on the allegation, thanked family members, friends and associates who have expressed solidarity, making telephone calls, visits and sending text messages on the controversy. He assured them that there is no cause to worry about the controversy.