ABEOKUTA – The embattled former chairman of Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) in Ogun state, Comrade Olufemi Omilani has denied allegations of financial misappropriation leveled against him by members of the association.
Recall that, the association on Tuesday passed vote of No confidence on its chairman, Olufemi Omilani and subsequently impeached him alongside three other executive members.
But in a swift reaction, Omilani described his purported impeachment as laughable.
He explained that he had left the association on June 12, 2023 to join the newly formed Association of Nigerian Broadcasters (ANBROAD).
He argued further that, he left FIBAN since the association has lost its focus due to the last national elections held in January 2023.
He said “It is not surprising that FIBAN is already in disarray with my exit. For further clarification, barely twenty(not 57 as claimed) out of the nearly 120 members attended the so-called meeting that purportedly impeached the Executive I was privileged to lead. Video evidence will appropriately be made available in the public space. The authentic members who made FIBAN thick in at least the last six years of our leadership are already under the umbrella of ANBROAD.
“All allegations levelled against me, which have to do with the sale of Association properties, are absolutely unfounded. Why? Whatever property of FIBAN sold under my watch as chairman were not sold in secrecy. For instance, the association bus they mentioned had been abandoned for four years in the mechanic village before I came on board as chairman in 2017. All right-thinking persons would know that such a bus cannot serve any good purpose again. Hence, our decision to sell it off as advised by the engineer in charge. This was done with the knowledge of my exco, our leaders, and members.
“Again, it was alleged that the executive i led misappropriated the sum of four hundred thousand naira collected from the governor of ogun state, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun. It will be disrespectful to the person and position of the governor to lay too much emphasis on this. However, I dare anyone to come up with proof that indeed money was misappropriated by approaching a court of law.
“In conclusion, I humbly alert our fans and the generality of the public on the need to be on guard against further character-assasination of our persons, who all, have seamlessly and effectively come together under the banner of ANBROAD. Without meaning to blow the trumpet, those who are conversant with our mode of operations and the kind of OMOLUWABI that we have, over the years, brought to bear on our modest contributions to FIBAN will testify that we are not only disciplined, we are honourable in deeds and actions – these are the same quality we intend to bring to bear on our new initiative”.
