OYIGG Urges EFCC, ICPC to Be Transparent in Ongoing Probe of Osun AG, Chief of Staff, Over Multi-Billion Naira Infra Scandal
A civil society group, Osun Youths Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG), has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a forensic investigation into the Osun State Accountant-General, Chief of Staff, and other top officials over alleged mismanagement of multi-billion naira infrastructure projects and unappropriated funds.
The mentioned officials of the Ọsun State Government were said to have been detained last week before they were released on personal recognizance.
In a statement signed by its convener, Dr Adeyemi Akande, and released in Osogbo on Tuesday, OYIGG accused Accountant-General Rasheed Olalere Alabi, Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Kazeem Akinleye, and others, of diverting sundry monies received by the state from the Federal Government without legislative approval. The group highlighted state funds traced to an account of a powerful aide of the governor, as well as loans secured from a first-generation bank now under scrutiny.
“We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate sundry monies accruing to the state government from the Federal Government, which were spent without appropriation,” the statement read. “We are also aware of state funds traced to the account of a very close aide of the Governor who wields significant power in government.”
OYIGG further alleged that the Chief of Staff has attempted to compromise anti-graft agents with huge financial inducements to derail investigations and prosecutions.
Officials from the State Ministry of Infrastructure through which funds were allegedly siphoned are also under the EFCC’s searchlight, alongside a top manager from the implicated bank.
“We demand that Governor Adeleke’s sister, Dupe Adeleke Sanni and his elder brother, Dr Deji Adeleke be arrested and probed for their alleged involvement in the sleaze.”
OYIGG also demanded that the EFCC and the ICPC be transparent in the ongoing probe and make their findings public.
They equally urged the media to remain unbiased, claiming the state government is paying heavily to suppress and carpet reports.