The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal at the weekend, announced the release of the property of the former Military Governor of the State, Brigadier Gen. David Bamigboye, seized 26 years age by the then federal Military Government.

According to Lawal, the release became imperative as contained in the Decrees 24 and 54 of 1973 forfeiture of Assets, promulgated by the former Nigerian military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Lawal, through the Information Commissioner, Mr. Wale Oladepo listed the property as: one storey building and four bungalows all situated along Umaru Audi Road, GRA, IIorin.

Oladepo said: "since paragraph 50 of chapter 12 of the Assets Investigation Panel report did not indict Brig. Gen. Bamigboye seriously, the Governor (Lawal) decided to bring the issue to the council for approval."

Section 317 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vests titles in those properties on Kwara State Government.

The release of the property, took effect from May 1, 2003 and did not attract any liability on the part of the government.

Although, Bamigboye had in the past written countless letters, to successive administrators and governors of the State, requesting for the release of the property to no avail ,Oladepo said the property was released on "the government's humanitarian gesture."

Besides, the Commissioner who believed that Bamigboye served the state meritoriously, said the state government would commence payment of rent to the former governor on the property for the next 12 months, within which it would be able to find alternative accommodation for government officials "currently occupying the buildings."