Businessman and politician, Olusegun Ola Osinkolu, has denied claims that he is evading the authorities after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared him wanted over alleged conspiracy, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.

The EFCC had, in a recent public notice, declared the 61-year-old Ekiti State indigene wanted in connection with the allegations.

Reacting to the development, Osinkolu described the Commission’s action as unjustified, insisting that the matter is civil in nature and already before a competent court.

According to him, he was not in hiding and had remained accessible to the authorities before travelling outside the country.

“I was in Ekiti State all through the election period. They know where I live. They know my house. I don’t understand how the issue of being declared wanted came into play,” he said.

Osinkolu argued that declaring him wanted creates the impression that he is a fugitive, which he maintained is not the case.

“For somebody to be declared wanted, it means you are a fugitive running from the law. That is not the case here,” he said.

He explained that he was outside Nigeria when the EFCC sought to reach him, questioning whether his absence from the country justified the Commission’s decision.
“When I am not in the country, how can I come to their office?” he asked.

The politician further maintained that the dispute is already the subject of court proceedings and should not warrant the issuance of a wanted notice.

While stopping short of directly accusing anyone, Osinkolu suggested that political considerations may have influenced the development.

“I wouldn’t say politicians have a hand in it, but it looks like that is the only explanation.

 Before you declare someone wanted, they should have done something very serious, such as stolen government money, offending the state, or be a kidnapper. Why declare someone wanted over a civil matter?” he said.

Osinkolu disclosed that his legal team would formally write to the EFCC, requesting the withdrawal of the wanted notice and the removal of his name from the Commission’s wanted list.

He also said the notice had generated concern among his family members and supporters, many of whom had contacted him following the EFCC’s announcement.

“I have tried to let them know exactly what is going on. I have not been in the country,” he said.

Speaking on the Commission’s alleged invitation, Osinkolu said he did not receive what he considered a conventional formal invitation, explaining that the communication came through a text message.

“It wasn’t really a formal invitation, but I can call it formal because they sent a text message. I have the name of the person I spoke to regarding the matter. They know I was not in the country,” he said.

He reiterated his belief that there appeared to be a political undertone to the matter, although he said he could not substantiate the suspicion.

“I have a feeling there is a bit of political undertone to it, but I can’t actually lay my hands on it. There is nothing to worry about,” he added.

The EFCC has yet to publicly respond to Osinkolu’s claims or his planned request for the withdrawal of the wanted notice.