ABEOKUTA, Nigeria – Tokunbo Talabi, Secretary to the Ogun State Government, was interrogated by the Department of State Services, DSS, on Friday, August 4, 2023, concerning allegations of fraud against him.
The five-hour questioning occurred at the Ogun State Command Headquarters of the DSS in Abeokuta.
Talabi was released on self-recognition after the extensive session. “The interrogation was related to the allegations against him,” said a source within the DSS who asked not to be identified, indicating that the investigation is based on a petition by Talabi himself.
Talabi’s association with Superflux Printing Limited, a company based in Ikeja, Lagos State, has been scrutinised lately.
Renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, had recently submitted a petition to several bodies including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, requesting an investigation into the company’s links to the Independent National Electoral Commission during the last elections.
“The DSS initiated this inquiry to ascertain the truth behind some allegations against Talabi concerning ballot papers printing among other issues,” the source said, adding that the investigation also touched on the role of Superflux Printing Limited in the Covid-19 palliative controversy.
Furthermore, the DSS queried Talabi on the company’s alleged ties to significant financial transactions related to Ogun State and its anticipated role in the 2023 elections.
The allegations have raised concerns about the potential impact on the credibility of the upcoming elections.
The source assured the public of the DSS’s commitment to a meticulous and comprehensive investigation, stating, “We seek to unravel the complex web of allegations surrounding Talabi and his association with Superflux Printing Limited.”
Several attempts to reach Talabi for a comment remained unanswered while publishing this report.
His silence on the DSS’s invitation adds another layer to an already complicated situation, whose eventual outcome will undoubtedly shape the governance landscape in Ogun State.
