Mayowa Okekale, Abuja

The Government of Oyo State has recovered 14 cars out of those carted away by aides of the immediate past governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, who confirmed this to News Express in a telephone interview on Thursday, however, said that 13 out of the recovered cars are not in good working condition.

He said: “Following the ultimatum we issued to officials of the immediate past administration in Oyo state, I can tell you that 14 cars have so far been recovered.

“Out of them, 13 are not in good condition at all. They are run down completely. We found a handful of them at mechanic workshops while only few were returned voluntarily.

“Just some days ago, officials of the Transport Pool discovered one of the vehicles parked beside the road around Agodi, Ibadan.

“The government officials promptly alerted security operatives who joined them to tow the vehicle to The Transport Pool of Oyo state.”

Speaking further, Adisa stated: “Let me tell you further that only a handful of the vehicles were returned. Many others were discovered and retrieved at mechanic workshops while some of those officials were called up when government officials and security agents traced their records.

“Some of such officials simply surrendered the vehicles by directing government officials to whichever mechanic workshops they had kept the cars or the private houses.”

News Express reports that Governor Makinde had recently issued an ultimatum to officials of the last administration to return government vehicles in their custody or risk arrest.

Reports on the media recently indicated that vehicles bought between January and February this year worth over N1 billion, were carted away by officials of Ajimobi’s government.

It was reported that former governor Ajimobi took away 11 cars even though he had approved three for himself as exit package.

It was also learnt that the wife of the Governor, Florence Ajimobi, took away six cars but none was approved as exit package.

Also carted away were 4 vehicles attached to the office of the former Deputy Governor: Two Toyota Hilux D/C Pick-Up, One Toyota Landcruiser SUV, and one Toyota Hilux Pick-Up.

Similarly, the Secretary to the State Government SSG Alli went away with only one brand new Toyota Landcruiser Prado SUV (2018 Model), while the Honorable Speaker left with Full Option Toyota Land cruiser GX-R (2016 Model).

In addition, the Head of Service went away with two vehicles: one Toyota Prado SUV and Toyota Hilux Pick-Up.

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