A civil society organisation, Osun Youths Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to ensure transparency in their ongoing investigation into top Osun State officials over an alleged multi-billion naira infrastructure scandal.
The group also demanded an expansion of the probe to include prominent individuals allegedly linked to the case, including Deji Adeleke and Dupe Adeleke-Sanni.
In a petition, OYIGG accused the Osun State Accountant-General, Rasheed Olalere Alabi, and the Chief of Staff to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Kazeem Akinleye, alongside other officials, of alleged mismanagement and diversion of funds earmarked for infrastructure projects.
The group alleged that some of the officials were briefly detained by anti-graft agencies last week before being released on personal recognisance, raising concerns about the handling of the investigation.
In a statement signed by its convener, Adeyemi Akande, and released in Osogbo on Tuesday, OYIGG claimed that funds received from the Federal Government were expended without legislative appropriation. It further alleged that certain state funds were traced to accounts linked to a powerful aide within the government, while loans obtained from a first-generation bank are also under scrutiny.
The group also accused the Chief of Staff of attempting to compromise anti-corruption officials through alleged financial inducements aimed at derailing the investigation and possible prosecution.
According to OYIGG, officials within the State Ministry of Infrastructure are under the radar of the EFCC, alongside a senior official of the implicated financial institution.
“We demand that the EFCC thoroughly investigate all funds accruing to the state and ensure accountability in their utilisation,” the statement read.
OYIGG further urged the anti-graft agencies to make their findings public, stressing that transparency is critical to restoring public trust in governance and the fight against corruption.
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The group also called on the media to remain objective in its coverage, alleging attempts by the state government to suppress reports surrounding the controversy.
As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Government had not issued an official response to the allegations.
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