Police disown document indicting Ayedatiwa of certificate forgery

The Nigerian Police Force has disowned a document in circulation purportedly indicting the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of certificate forgery.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and shared on the Force’s Facebook page on Friday.

The statement read, “We wish to clarify that the said document did not originate from the Nigeria Police Force. The alleged signatory, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, does not have the authority to release such a report on behalf of the Force Criminal Investigation Department or any other such departments within the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Nigeria Police Force is currently investigating the origin of the said document and the circumstances surrounding its circulation.

“We urge the public to exercise caution and refrain from spreading unverified information that could potentially tarnish the reputation of individuals or public officials.

“Furthermore, we assure the public that any official communication or report regarding investigations conducted by the Nigeria Police Force will be released through appropriate channels.”

On January 9, 2023, the PUNCH report that Aiyedatiwa debunked a report that he was involved in a certificate forgery scandal, describing the report as the handiwork of some of his political detractors.

Aiyedatiwa was sworn in on December 27, 2023, following the demise of his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who lost his protracted battle against prostate cancer.

Before Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa was acting governor and had battled an impeachment plot launched against him by the state House of Assembly, believed to be loyal to Akeredolu.