Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has said that he would not pay the 273 lawyers appointed as aides by his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN..
Ajulo had, while announcing the appointment of the 273 lawyer, explained that the move was to enhance the provision of excellent, independent and ethical legal services to the state as well as protecting the rights of its people.
But Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the 273 aides would not be paid from the state coffers.
Adeniyan said the appointments did not have the imprimatur of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Ajulo said the aides presented a multitude of ideas to him and he approved their appointments as Honorary Advisers and Technical Advisers.
“They will provide invaluable guidance to reinforce the vision of the Office of the Attorney-General of Ondo State to be the best public law office in Nigeria,” he said.
In his reaction to the rebuttal by the Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ajulo, on Tuesday, described the development as “an unfortunate misconception of issues.”
“It’s an unfortunate misconception of issues,” the Attorney General said in a short statement sent to The Crest.
“Most of these designations are purely honorary, indicating that the lawyers do not have any right to receive financial remuneration or employment advantages from the Ondo State government.
“Most of the lawyers who have been appointed are renowned, trusted and experienced lawyers and jurists who have willingly decided to contribute their services to Ondo State as a gesture of goodwill, and any compensation they receive will not be provided by the Ondo State Government.”