Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has denied a media report alleging that he criticised the Supreme Court over the ongoing local government dispute in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the report as ‘fake news’ and called on the public and the judiciary to disregard the publication.
Adeleke, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, at a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) event, reportedly made no such remarks as attributed to him in the national daily.
“The Honourable Commissioner did not make the statement attributed to him. He merely urged the NBA to take a more proactive stance in defending judges who are subjected to political blackmail,” the statement read.
RECOMMENDED POSTS
According to the governor’s media office, Commissioner Alimi specifically referenced a press conference held by certain members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, where they allegedly maligned the integrity of a High Court judge.
The Commissioner condemned what he described as a deliberate attempt to blackmail the judge with unfounded accusations in connection to a matter that had not even been heard.
The governor reaffirmed his deep respect for the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, and stated that he would never sanction any attack or public criticism against the nation’s highest judicial institutions.
“Governor Adeleke did not rebuke or attack the judiciary or the Supreme Court as published by the newspaper. It is fake news that should be discountenanced by the judicial establishment and the general public,” the statement added.
Adeleke also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Bar Association for the award conferred on him, pledging continued support for the rule of law and good governance in Osun State.
