Former OPIC Boss Queries Forensic Audit
By Cliffsimeon Akalonu
The Former Special Adviser/Managing Director of Ogun State Property Investment Corporation (OPIC), Babajide O. Odusolu; has debunked allegations leveled against him by the Ogun state House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, led by Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, describing it as unprofessional, de-marketing of OPIC and the whole of Ogun state.
Recall that Odusolu served under the administration of former Governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibukunle Amosun and until his appointment in 2013, he was and remain a real estate developer, businesses owner and also a barrister.
During a press briefing in Lagos on Tuesday on allegation of funds mismanagement by the Ogun state House of Assembly, the former OPIC MD frowned at the level which Ogun State House of Assembly committee on public accounts and Anti-Corruption is going about with publication of missing funds from OPIC without evidence thereby, challenging the house to provide proof of evidence and conduct forensic audit to help in their quest.
Reacting to the allegations of misappropriation, Odusolu said for record purpose, “all issues raised in the publication by the state assembly has been addressed during my appearance before the house committee on the 13th of October, 2020 and during the invitation, I was accompanied by the then management team of OPIC, led by its Director of Finance & Admin, Director of projects, the Internal Auditor, Head of Allocations and other members of Finance.
“During interactions with the House committee, I provided clarifications on all issues handled by me as the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and I am appalled and taken back by the publication and the call for investigations by anti-corruption agencies”, the former MD said.
I and my team ran OPIC to grow Ogun state internally generated revenue (IGR), not for personal enrichment and my record as OPIC MD Is unimpeachable.
“We grew OPIC Asset Base to N60bn in 6 Years even as OPIC were 100% self-funding and operated under intense scrutiny with a principal, His Excellency Sen. Ibukunle Amosun who is a seasoned Chartered Accountant, two commissioners of Finance who were also chartered accountants and independent auditors who were not reporting to the corporation.”
Odusolu also gave account of achievements while in office under the leadership of Senator Ibukunle Amosun, as: Road Network Construction in Agbara Industrial & Residential Estate, Phase one Construction of Sixty Six units of detached duplexes at Abeokuta, Orange Valley, Oke-Mosan and Reclamation of larger expanse now developed as Kings Court.
Others are New Makun City, MTR Gardens at Isheri; New Dawn Gardens at Agbara; New Dawn Terraces in Agbara; Gateway Poly, Ipokia; Construction of Isheri road projects and Electrification; Mitros Residence Hotel and 1000 units of affordable family homes housing project, among others.
