Former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, has reignited discussions on the unresolved assassination of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige. In a recent interview with broadcaster Edmund Obilo in Ibadan, Akande suggested that former Oyo State Governor, Rashidi Ladoja, may have crucial information about the case.
Akande recalled that Lam Adesina, who was Oyo State Governor at the time of Ige’s assassination, had taken legal steps regarding the case. However, his successor, Ladoja, later withdrew the case from court.
"There are many things that die with people," Akande lamented. "I know Lam Adesina went to court over the matter, and I also know his successor, Ladoja, withdrew the case. Ask Ladoja; he would know more about Bola Ige’s death. I was the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, not Oyo. Lam Adesina was the Chief Security Officer of Oyo State. He took the case to court, but Ladoja withdrew it. He might be able to tell you more."
Bola Ige, a chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), was assassinated on December 23, 2001, at his Ibadan residence. At the time, he was serving as the Minister of Justice in President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.
Akande insisted that Ige’s decision to join the government was a collective one made by Afenifere and the Alliance for Democracy. He dismissed claims that it was a mistake, emphasizing that party leaders unanimously supported the move.
"We met under the leadership of Ayo Fasanmi in AD and Abraham Adesanya in Afenifere, and we asked Bola Ige to join Obasanjo’s government. It was a joint decision," he said.
Akande also alleged that Ige’s murder was politically motivated, describing it as "a state murder." He accused the Obasanjo administration of showing little interest in solving the case, arguing that Ige’s growing political influence might have led to his assassination.
Regarding the public attack on Ige before his murder—when his cap was forcefully removed—Akande admitted he was unaware of the culprits. He said Ige had confided in him about resigning from the government before his death, but he had persuaded him to stay.
"One evening, he called me and said, ‘I’m going to resign from this government.’ I advised him against it, as did Oluwole Rotimi, because we feared for his safety. He later took his concerns to Obasanjo, but shortly after, he was moved to the Ministry of Justice. Then, he was killed."
Akande’s remarks have once again raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Ige’s assassination and the lack of progress in bringing those responsible to justice.
