Former Kwara State Commissioner for Works and Transports, Engr. Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu, has vehemently denied rumors of his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), condemning the baseless claims as an assault on the integrity of the media.
In a statement released by his media aide on Tuesday, September 26, the former commissioner dismissed the reports as groundless and fabricated by unscrupulous individuals.
These rumors had alleged that Hon. Rotimi was held by the EFCC for questioning regarding purported financial improprieties amounting to twenty billion naira (N20Bn) during his tenure as Commissioner.
It was claimed that EFCC officers took him into custody at the commission’s premises around 10 am the previous morning, denying him the opportunity to return home. However, according to his media aide, these claims are entirely unfounded.
“The reported detention of Hon. Rotimi by the EFCC is entirely spurious and malevolent,” the statement emphasized. “He has never received any invitation from the EFCC for questioning, and these rumors are a deliberate attempt to tarnish his character.”
Engr. Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu is recognized for his role as the commissioner for works and transports in Kwara state, where he spearheaded numerous development projects that significantly contributed to the state’s growth and infrastructure.
The commissioner’s media aide further underscored Hon. Rotimi’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance and urged the public to disregard the unsubstantiated rumors, and therefore called on the media to verify information before disseminating it.
“Engr. Suleiman Rotimi Iliasu remains dedicated to serving the people of Kwara state and advancing its progress. He is unwavering in upholding the highest standards of integrity and will not be distracted by baseless allegations,” the statement affirmed.
Additionally, he characterized the spread of such rumors as an affront to the media’s integrity.
“I hold great respect for the media and its practitioners. Theirs is an esteemed profession as the fourth estate of the realm. However, when rumors like the one in question circulate, targeting individuals and besmirching their reputations, it prompts us to question the integrity of the media.”
