Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, on Friday thanked God and appreciated the efforts of the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) for their support throughout his trial.
He addressed journalists in his office after he was discharged earlier in the day by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Mr Ikuforiji had been charged in December 2011 alongside his aide, Oyebode Atoyebi, with money laundering.
They had both pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Justice Ibrahim Buba, ruling in the case on Friday, discharged the duo.
An elated Ikuforiji said: “Today is almost three years after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission decided to act on a spurious petition by some faceless individuals.
“The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos dismissed the comical 54-count charge of money laundering against me and my personal aide, Mr Oyebode Atoyebi.
“In this season of vindication, I cannot but thank God the Almighty for his unwavering mercy throughout the trial.
“I am grateful to the leaders of the party, especially the former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for free legal consultation sessions with him.’’
Ikuforiji also expressed gratitude to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, party members, religious bodies, political associates, friends and his colleagues at the Lagos Assembly for the vote of confidence passed on him during the trial.
He said that his travail in the last three years taught him some lessons, noting that victory was sweet and he had learnt to wait patiently for it.
“The victory is not mine alone; it is our collective victory for democracy, judiciary, for the assembly, the state and also for the journalists who stood on the side of the truth,” the Speaker said.
He promised never to betray the confidence reposed on him by his historic victory, which would compel him to rededicate himself to lifting the state to higher heights.
The Speaker said it would also propel him further in his political struggle to protect the enviable legacy of good governance, sterling leadership and unmatched excellence for which Lagos has come to be known.
