The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected 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, addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Osun APC Media Director Kola Olabisi described the petition as a politically motivated attempt to damage Oyetola’s reputation.
Olabisi alleged that Adeleke was using the fraud claims as a distraction after failing to take control of local government councils in the state. He challenged the state government to provide evidence by publishing contractor details and contract award dates.
In response, Osun Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted the allegations were based on a thorough investigation, not political vendetta. He stated that a Contract Review Committee, set up in early 2023, uncovered financial mismanagement and due process violations under Oyetola’s administration.
Alimi highlighted that a White Paper Committee validated the findings before recommending prosecution. He pointed to irregularities in the renovation of 320 primary healthcare centers, where contracts were allegedly awarded without competitive bidding and given to political allies with little construction experience.
Further allegations include the laundering of N1.5 billion through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) between January and October 2022. According to Alimi, financial records from Zenith Bank revealed suspicious transfers to a private account linked to a local government finance director, followed by large cash withdrawals without records of official use.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, Alimi declared that no amount of political pressure would stop the investigation, urging those implicated to prepare their defense. He expressed confidence in the EFCC’s ability to conduct a fair probe, emphasizing that accountability and transparency remain the Adeleke administration’s top priorities.
