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By Sunday Ani
The Kayode Ajulo & Co law firm, Counsel to Ambassador Ayodele Oke, has debunked the allegations that the ambassador designate was indicted for financial misconduct.
The firm also said that Oke, a non -career ambassador designate, was cleared of all allegations, received presidential approval and was discharged of all financial misconduct in the matter against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to a statement by its the Head of Chambers/Senior Partner, Prof. Bukola Akinola, the firm described allegations against Oke as a campaign of calumny.
“We are appalled by the narratives on social media, following the appointment of Oke by President Tinubu as an ambassador designate, wherein some mischief makers pushed false stories against him.
“The narrations are done in bad faith and is a deliberate falsehood, lacking substance,” the statement said.
The law firm explained that Oke, who served as director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), from 2013 to 2017, was cleared of financial impropriety by late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 and the Federal High Court in Lagos withdrew all charges against the ambassador designate.
The law firm highlighted that a Federal Government’s case filed against Oke, FCH/L/47C/2019, Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Ambassador Ayodele Oke & Anor, was withdrawn after the EFCC found no grounds to proceed.
On the so-called Ikoyi funds’ controversy, the firm stated that Oke appropriately disclosed that the funds discovered at the Ikoyi flats, one of the NIA’s safe houses, was part of standard security protocols.
It emphasised that the publicity surrounding the funds was politically motivated, driven by individuals who might have been opposed to Oke’s strict enforcement of national security measures during his tenure.
The firm further clarified that the apartment where the funds were discovered was a secure facility belonging to the NIA, used for classified operational purposes, similar to safe houses maintained by intelligence agencies like MI6 in the UK, the CIA in the US and other global counterparts.
“Sensitive operations of this nature were often misunderstood by the public and intentionally misrepresented for political ends.
“Oke is far more than a public servant. He is a distinguished career intelligence officer with global recognition.
“His extensive career included key assignments at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, where he reached his pinnacle with his tenure as NIA DG, Nigeria’s counterpart to the CIA in the US and MI6 in the UK.
“His wealth of experience, institutional knowledge and decades of service in safeguarding national security are widely respected both at home and internationally,” the firm noted.
It emphasised that past allegations of financial misconduct against the ambassador designate were politically driven.
“This includes earlier efforts to discredit him when he was being considered for appointment under the late President Buhari.
“Claims suggesting that N14 billion was found in his personal residence were entirely unfounded. In reality, the money was held in an official NIA operational safe house, fully consistent with standard practices for covert intelligence operations.
“Oke was represented at the trial by the founder of Kayode Ajulo (SAN) & Co. Castle of Law, currently the Attorney General of Ondo State and the matter was conclusively resolved in 2023 when late President Buhari, relying on verified evidence presented, directed the immediate termination of the proceedings.
“Subsequently, the EFCC withdrew all charges and the Federal High Court formally struck out the case, affirming Oke’s innocence.”
The law firm added that holding high-level security offices often involved making decisions that were unpopular with certain interests.
“These measures are essential to safeguard national security. Attempts to use these historical events to influence the Senate’s confirmation process are therefore exercises in futility.”
Affirming his readiness for diplomatic service, the firm stressed that he is eminently qualified to serve as an ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in any country designated by the President.
“His nomination came at a time when Nigeria requires experienced and competent individuals to represent the country abroad and his appointment reflects the confidence placed in him by the President.
“His experience, integrity and dedication to national service, make him fully deserving of his nomination,” the firm added.
The firm urged the senate and the public to evaluate the ambassador designate based on his record rather than politically motivated narratives.
