BREAKING: Governor Adeleke petitions EFCC, alleges ex-governor Oyetola stole $20m, N1.5bn from Osun State

By Adamu Aliyu Aliyu/ABUJA//

Governor Adeleke of Osun State has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the immediate past governor and current Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over the alleged misappropriation of a $20m World Bank health grant.

The government also accused Oyetola of money laundering, financial misconduct and violations of the Public Procurement Act in the disbursement of the grant meant for health sector improvements in the state.

According to Adeleke, ex-governor Oyetola chaired the special health intervention committee tasked with allocating the funds, which was to be used for renovating 320 primary health care centres across the state.

Adeleke alleged that the companies chosen by the committee executed substandard renovation works, while receiving full contract payments, thereby leading to the misappropriation of the $20m grant.

On the the allegations of money laundering, the Osun state government alleged that over ₦1.5 billion, was funneled through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria between January and October 2022.

Adeleke alleged that financial records showed a clear case of money laundering of huge magnitude by the past administration of Oyetola, with withdrawals ranging from N10m to over N30m per day being made in cash, with no records of the funds being used for any official projects.