UPDATE: Ondo lawmaker denies vehicle debt allegation, faults petitioner

By Boye Oyeyemi

A member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Ilaje Constituency II, Olawumi Fayemi-Obayelu, has denied allegations linking her to an alleged vehicle debt, describing the claims as false and malicious.

Western Post had reported earlier that a car dealer, Jimoh Tairu, petitioned the police and the legislative house over an alleged unpaid vehicle transaction involving the lawmaker.

However, Fayemi-Obayelu, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the allegations made by one Jimoh Tahiru were aimed at damaging her reputation, insisting she had done nothing wrong and remained innocent of the claims. The lawmaker questioned the credibility of the allegations, arguing that it was unreasonable to suggest that a serving legislator would attempt to sell a government-issued vehicle.

She also noted that the petition reportedly submitted to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, failed to state the make, model or value of the vehicle in dispute. According to her, the matter is already before the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Zone 17, Akure, where investigations are ongoing, adding that the petitioner was the one who initiated the complaint.

Fayemi-Obayelu alleged that despite reporting the matter to the police, Tahiru had repeatedly failed to honour invitations from investigators, thereby slowing the progress of the probe.

The lawmaker maintained that she had consistently honoured every police invitation alongside another individual connected to the matter, expressing confidence that the case would have been resolved earlier if all parties had cooperated with investigators.

She also demanded answers over the whereabouts and condition of her vehicle, alleging that it was taken to Lagos for repairs after being damaged and had yet to be returned to her.

She expressed confidence in the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fair investigation and urged the public to disregard what she described as “unfounded allegations” until the police conclude their findings.