Ladoja Refutes Akande’s Claims, Denies Withdrawing Bola Ige’s Murder Case

Former Oyo State Governor and Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has strongly denied allegations made by former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, regarding the 2001 assassination of Chief Bola Ige.

Speaking to journalists at his Ondo Street residence in Ibadan on Monday, Ladoja dismissed Akande’s claims as false, emphasizing that his administration never withdrew any case related to Ige’s murder.

“Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001—18 months before I assumed office. I became governor on May 29, 2003. Chief Ige was killed on December 23, 2001, which was 18 months before my tenure began.

“I didn’t withdraw the case. My government didn’t withdraw any case.

“The case was even prosecuted up to the Supreme Court. Chief Akande lied against me, and he is old. This is not his first time. People say he lies. Even Baba Adebanjo said he lied in his book.”

The Controversy Over Ige’s Murder Investigation

Ladoja’s reaction comes after Akande suggested in a recent interview that he might have crucial information about Ige’s death. Akande had alleged that his predecessor, Lam Adesina, pursued the case in court, but after Ladoja took office, the case was withdrawn.

However, Ladoja firmly rejected this narrative, reiterating that the case was pursued to the highest levels of the judiciary.

“We are all deeply saddened by Ige’s death. We are all concerned about his murder; I was very close to Chief Bola Ige when he was alive.”

A Renewed Debate Over Bola Ige’s Assassination

Ige, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, was murdered at his Ibadan residence in December 2001, a crime that remains unresolved more than two decades later.

Akande’s recent remarks have reignited calls for answers, but Ladoja’s strong rebuttal suggests that long-standing political tensions surrounding the case are far from settled.