The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the allegations of a $20 million fraud leveled against former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by his successor, Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adeleke, in a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last week, accused Oyetola of money laundering and violations of the Public Procurement Act.
However, in a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Osun APC Media Director Kola Olabisi dismissed the petition as a politically motivated attack aimed at damaging Oyetola’s reputation. Olabisi claimed that the fraud allegations were a retaliatory move by Adeleke after failing to control the state’s local government councils.
“When their attempt to forcibly take over the local government council offices failed, they resorted to crude tactics to damage the image of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, a man of candor and probity who served the state honorably,” Olabisi said.
He further challenged the Adeleke administration to provide details of the contractors involved and the dates when the contracts were awarded to support its claims.
“Unlike Oyetola, who uploaded details of 110 contracts and procurements on the government portal over three years, the current government has published only seven contract details in two years. This raises serious questions about its commitment to transparency and accountability,” Olabisi added.
In response, the Osun State Government defended the petition, insisting that it was based on a thorough investigation and not politically motivated. Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, stated that the petition was the outcome of an evidence-based investigation initiated in early 2023. He added that a Contract Review Committee was established to assess the financial dealings of the previous administration, which uncovered widespread corruption and financial mismanagement.
“To set the record straight, the EFCC petition is the result of a painstaking, evidence-based process that began in early 2023. A Contract Review Committee was established to examine the financial dealings of the previous administration, and its findings uncovered widespread corruption, due process violations, and financial mismanagement under Oyetola,” Alimi explained.
He revealed that a White Paper Committee had reviewed and validated the findings, ultimately recommending the prosecution of implicated officials, a recommendation that was approved by the State Executive Council in 2024.
Alimi cited the mismanagement of funds allocated for the renovation of 320 primary healthcare centers as one of the most significant issues. He claimed that Oyetola awarded contracts without competitive bidding, violating procurement laws. These contracts were allegedly given to close allies and family members of top officials, many of whom lacked experience in construction. Despite receiving full payments, these firms allegedly delivered substandard work, further exposing the fraudulent scheme.
The commissioner also accused Oyetola’s administration of laundering N1.5 billion through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria between January and October 2022. Alimi presented evidence from Zenith Bank that allegedly showed funds being channeled into a private account linked to Akeem Ibitoye, a local government employee and Director of Finance at Ejigbo Local Government. He claimed that subsequent cash withdrawals ranging from N10 million to N30 million were made daily, with no official records of the funds’ use.
Alimi reiterated the Adeleke administration’s commitment to transparency and vowed that justice would be pursued relentlessly. “A responsible government does not ignore this level of financial recklessness and fraud. Unlike the APC, which thrives on impunity, Governor Adeleke’s administration remains committed to accountability, transparency, and the rule of law,” he stated.
He also emphasized that the EFCC would conduct a thorough investigation and hold anyone found guilty accountable. “No amount of noise from the APC will shield anyone from the consequences of their actions,” Alimi concluded.