Mr. Allen Sowore, legal practitioner, has called on the Ondo State Executive Council to investigate the alleged act of forgery of the signature of the Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.
It was reported on some social platforms that the signature of the governor had allegedly been forged by some people in government to enable them to perpetrate fraud. It was gathered that there were disparities in the signatures of the governor on some official documents of the state.
Sowore, in a statement issued on Monday, said there was a need for the state exco to investigate the alleged act and bring the perpetrators to book.
According to him, the development should alarm all stakeholders in the state, stating that forgery constitutes a crime punishable under Nigerian criminal laws, regardless of the individual involved.
He said: “I strongly urge the State Executive Council to establish a technical panel promptly, initiating a comprehensive investigation into this disconcerting situation. This step is crucial in uncovering the circumstances behind the existence of multiple signatures purportedly belonging to the governor on sensitive government documents.
“Furthermore, it is imperative for all accounting officers, heads of agencies, and establishments in the state particularly, the Accountant-General to exercise greater diligence and caution in the discharge of their official duties.
“Emphasis must be placed on the fact that public office holders in Ondo State exploiting the governor’s temporary absence for personal enrichment will inevitably be held accountable for their actions and stewardship.”