Osun govt rejects EFCC’s N11bn loot allegation, alleges witch-hunt

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The Osun State Government has rejected an allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that N11 billion was looted from the state’s account, accusing the anti-graft agency of making unfounded claims to justify what it described as an unlawful freezing of government funds.

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The state government made its position known in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo, on Wednesday.

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According to the government, the freezing of the state’s account was intended to prevent it from paying palliatives promised to workers, rather than to stop the alleged diversion of public funds.

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The statement said the real reason the Commission froze the state account “on the order of Gboyega Oyetola was to stop the payment of palliatives which the state government promised the workers some months ago. This account freezing marks the climax of Oyetola/Ambo’s historic anti-workers’ obsession.”

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The government said it had already paid the palliatives to workers following negotiations aimed at easing the impact of the current economic difficulties.

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“Fortunately, we have paid the palliatives to all Osun state workers. The latest payment of palliatives followed negotiation arising from workers’ request to cushion the effect of the harsh economic climate. This was not the first time such a cost of living subsidy was paid to Osun workers.

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“All material facts point to the fact that the commission is pursuing a hatchet job for the Osun APC by illegally freezing the state account and falsely accusing the government of looting ecological and other state funds. We don’t loot public funds in Osun state; we deliver on public goods and services.

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The state government further said its available resources had been channelled towards infrastructure, workers’ welfare and development across various sectors.

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“There is no fund to loot in Osun state as the little resources we have are expended on the many mega projects, workers’ welfare, and sectoral developments for the benefit of the masses. We reject attempts to tarnish the image of our hard-working governor.

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The government also alleged that the EFCC had been investigating senior state officials since March 2026 but had yet to produce evidence indicting them.

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“The EFCC has been conducting a witch-hunting investigation since March 2026, without any indicting evidence against top officials. Government officials are being harassed on a weekly basis, all with the sole aim of distracting them from delivering good governance to the Osun population.

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“Osun has won several awards on budget and auditing transparency. Assuming but not conceding that the EFCC has any evidence of looting as posited, there are established procedures for bringing suspects to book instead of a politically motivated, unlawful freezing of government accounts without recourse to the rule of law.

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“It is sad that a commission will lie to destroy the image of a state to cover up an illegal action that has backfired. This alibi from the commission is an afterthought and it cannot stand the test of truth in reality and court of public opinion.”

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The statement followed the EFCC’s explanation for freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.

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The commission said the measure was taken to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds, amid the state’s preparations for the August 15 governorship election.

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