By Eric Elezuo
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyetidawa, has said the news making the rounds about the governor rejecting the 273 aides appointed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, was a figment of the imagination of the writer of the story.
In a statement, the CPS clarified that the information used did not emanate from him but a fabrication concocted by the newspaper reporter, who has already apologized and promised a retraction.
He further explained that the 273 aides, who are mostly notable Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and renowned, were appointed as honorary advisers to assist the commissioner in promoting various reforms in the judiciary in Ondo State, adding that they were not expected to receive any financial remuneration or employment advantages from the Ondo State government.
The statement in details:
RE: AIYEDATIWA DISOWNS 273 AIDES APPOINTED BY COMMISSIONER
My attention has been drawn to a news story with the above headline published in The Nation newspaper and reproduced by some online media outlets on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
The line credited to me in the story to the effect that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa did not approve the appointment of aides made by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, was a fabrication of the author of the story.
That statement did not emanate from me and the author of the original story has since admitted his error, apologised and promised to do a retraction.
For clarification, the Attorney General only appointed those lawyers, including some notable Senior Advocates of Nigeria, as honorary advisers to assist him in promoting various reforms in the judiciary in Ondo State.
The said lawyers are not expected to receive any financial remuneration or employment advantages from the Ondo State government.
Most of the lawyers who have been appointed are renowned, trusted and experienced lawyers and jurists who have willingly decided to contribute their services to Ondo State as a gesture of goodwill.