The Osun State Government has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Blue Economy, over allegations of misappropriating a $20 million World Bank health grant. The petition, dated March 7, 2025, accuses Oyetola of money laundering, financial misconduct, and violations of the Public Procurement Act during his tenure.
According to the petition, Oyetola chaired a special Health Intervention Committee tasked with allocating the grant for health sector improvements. The committee, which included former officials such as Remi Omowaye, Dr. Rafiu Isamatu, and Bola Oyebamiji, decided to use the entire $20 million to renovate 320 primary health care centers across the state.
However, the petition, written by the state government’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleges that Oyetola bypassed mandatory bidding processes under the Public Procurement Act. Instead, contracts were awarded to his associates, including cabinet members, agency heads, and cronies, many of whom had no construction experience.
The petition names several companies allegedly linked to Oyetola’s associates, including Poshpreneurs Nig., Dotfam Multiventures Ltd, The Ice Firms Nig. Ltd, and Afamoks Web International.
These companies, reportedly owned by individuals with no construction background, are accused of executing substandard renovation works while receiving full payments, leading to the misappropriation of the grant.
In addition to the $20 million grant, the petition alleges that over ₦1.5 billion was laundered through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) between January and October 2022. The petition names former ALGON Chairman Abiodun Idowu, Secretary Olubisi Oladosu, 28 former local government caretaker chairmen, and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Yekeen Adebayo Adeleke, as key actors in the alleged scheme.
Financial records cited in the petition show repeated transfers from ALGON’s Zenith Bank account into the private account of Akeem Ibitoye, a local government employee. The petition alleges that withdrawals ranging from ₦30 million to over ₦10 million were made daily, with no records of the funds being used for official projects.
In response, Yekeen Adebayo Adeleke dismissed the allegations as frivolous, stating that he had not been contacted by the EFCC or seen a copy of the petition. “If there is no proof, then the allegations are frivolous and of no stance,” he said.
The Osun State Government’s petition underscores its commitment to accountability and transparency, urging the EFCC to investigate and prosecute those involved in the alleged financial misconduct.
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