Osun ex-health commissioner quizzed over N178m contract scam

Details: Category: Corruption; Published on Thursday, 19 April 2012 10:44; Written by Admin; Hits: 412

Former commissioner for health in the administration of former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola in Osun State, Chief Lanre Afolabi, was yesterday quizzed by detectives from the State Police Command for his alleged involvement in a N178 million deal while serving as commissioner in the state.

It was gathered that the former commissioner was invited for interrogation by police in connection with the award of contract for the supply, installation and test running of the machines for the State Drug Manufacturing Company. Afolabi’s invitation by the police was sequel to the request by the police to investigate circumstances surrounding the award of the contract before establishing the case of fraud against the ex commissioner.

Osun State Government under Oyinlola in August 2005 awarded a contract for the supply, installation and test running of the required machines for the state Drug Manufacturing Company to one Messrs Samlink Integrated Services Limited of Number 1 Olutoye Close off Herbert Macaulay Crescent GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, at a total contract sum of $1.9 million.

The company was subsequently paid $1 million as part of the contract sum to enable it proceeded with the performance of the contract. It was gathered that up till date, the company was yet to supply the machines and had failed to refund the money paid to it. The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi confirmed the invitation of Afolabi.