The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has opened a sweeping investigation into allegations of certificate forgery and age falsification involving senior staff of Owena Press Limited, publishers of The Hope newspaper.
Top on the list of those quizzed is Mr. Akinjeji Bamikole Daniel, a former Administrative Manager and influential figure at the state-owned media house. Sources confirmed that Akinjeji spent several hours at the agency’s Akure headquarters on Wednesday answering questions over alleged manipulation of his official records.
Investigators allege that the management staff altered his declared date of birth to unlawfully extend his service by four additional years. He reportedly secured fresh affidavits this year, contradicting earlier sworn statements submitted during the 2018 government screening exercise.
Further findings suggest that the manipulation coincided with the state government’s approval of a new minimum wage, raising suspicions that the officer sought to remain in service longer to benefit financially.
Another senior staff, Mrs. Omotosho Comfort Idowu, personal secretary to the company’s chairman, is also under scrutiny. Despite being due for retirement in July this year, she allegedly remains in active service after falsifying her personal records.
Panel Report Ignored
In May, the company’s chairman, Mr. Kayode Fasua, constituted a probe panel comprising officials from the Office of Establishments and Training, the Ministry of Information, and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo. The panel invited all staff for document verification.
The panel’s report, submitted in early August, indicted the affected staff. However, insider sources allege that Fasua failed to implement its recommendations, effectively shielding those found guilty of forgery. This prompted the state anti-graft agency to summon him for questioning over his role in the controversy.
Missing Government Vehicles
Beyond the forgery scandal, investigators are also probing the disappearance of two Hilux vehicles belonging to the state government during Akinjeji’s tenure as Administrative Manager. The missing assets have raised fresh concerns over management accountability.
A Troubled Institution
Owena Press has been dogged by a string of financial scandals despite repeated government bailouts. The infamous 2017 embezzlement case left deep scars, and the current allegations have sparked renewed calls for urgent reforms.
Labour leaders in the state, speaking anonymously, urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene. They recommended placing Owena Press under the Office of the Head of Service or Civil Service Commission to curb further irregularities, while also fast-tracking the conversion of the outfit into a government-owned corporation.
When contacted, the Secretary of the SPFACC, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, confirmed that the commission was probing allegations of age and certificate falsification at the company but declined to give further details.
