Rasheed Ladoja

Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja (born 25 September 1944) became governor of Oyo State in Nigeria on 29 May 2003. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

On 12 January 2006, Ladoja was impeached by Oyo State legislators and forced to leave office, but eventually challenged his impeachment successfully. His deputy, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, was immediately sworn in as the new governor by the acting chief judge of the State; who himself was purportedly removed from office thirty minutes earlier by Ladoja. The political power play was apparently as a result of Ladoja's fight with Chief Lamidi Adedibu; often called the strongman of Ibadan politics, and a chieftain of the PDP.

On 1 November 2006, the Appeal Court in the state capital, Ibadan, declared the impeachment null and illegal. A fixed date on return to office was not immediately confirmed. But according to the Appeal Court, Ladoja still remains governor of Oyo State.

On 4 November 2006, The attorney general of Nigeria advised Ladoja to wait for the Supreme Court decision, before he started to parade himself as the governor of the state. His security details were restored, however. On December 12, 2006, Ladoja officially took office, several days after his reinstatement was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Ladoja, who has shown a great deal of leadership trait, confirmed his interest in running for second team as the Oyo State Governor. So far, Ladoja seems to be qualified candidate for the PDP ticket which is currently being held by Alao-Akala. All luck may fall on Ladoja as his deputy is currently under investigation by the EFCC for mishandling funds during Ladoja's absence from office.

Early life

Ladoja attended Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo. [ [http://www.oyostategov.com/BIOGRAPHY.html Profile at Oyo State] Retrieved 2007-10-13] [cite web
last =Omonijo
first =Bolade
title =New governors: The road to Government House
publisher =Vanguard
date =2003-05-28
url =http://news.biafranigeriaworld.com/archive/2003/may/29/0139.html
accessdate = 2007-10-13 ]

Corruption charges

On the 28 August, 2008, Ladoja was arrested along with two other persons by the EFCC over allegations of non-remittance of the proceeds of sale of shares totaling N1.9 billion during his administration [cite news|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=121020 |title=EFCC Arrests Ladoja | author=Tunde Sanni |date=29-08-08|publisher=Thisday Online|accessdate=2008-09-20] and briefly remanded in prison by Justice Mohammed Sanni of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on 30 August [cite news|url=http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200808303583465 |title=N6.5bn fraud: Court remands Ladoja, two others in EFCC custody |author=Kayode Ketefe|date=30-08-08|publisher=Punch Online|accessdate=2008-09-20] but was granted bail on 5 September to the tune of 100 million naira with two sureties in like sum. [cite news|url=http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/06092008/news/news7.html |title=Ladoja, Others Get Tough Bail - To Produce Two Sureties With Landed Property In Lagos |author=Akeem Nafiu |date=06-09-08|publisher=Saturday Tribune|accessdate=2008-09-20] Further hearing has been adjourned to Monday October 20, 2008.

External links

* http://www.tribune.com.ng/14122006/news/news1.html
* http://allafrica.com/stories/200612111060.html

References