Osun APC says financial misappropriation allegation against Oyetola is false

The Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the allegation of misappropriation of $20 million and N1.5 billion against Adegboyega Oyetola, former governor of the state.

Oyetola, who is the minister of marine and blue economy, was governor of Osun from 2018 to 2022.

Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged embezzlement of $20 million World Bank health grant during Oyetola’s tenure as governor.

Adeleke accused his predecessor of money laundering, financial misconduct and violations of the Public Procurement Act in the disbursement of the grant meant for the health sector in the state.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday in Abuja, Kola Olabisi, APC director of media and information in Osun, described Adeleke’s allegation against the minister as “falsehood”.

Olabisi said the petition is a “propaganda chronicling falsehood” to soil Oyetola’s name and those who worked in his government.

“Adeleke government said the $20m save-one-million lives (SOML) programme was stolen and was not used for the purpose it was meant for. SOML is a World Bank project designed to save the lives of mothers and children through health services. The fund received by Osun state government was comprehensively monitored by the donor,” Olabisi said.

“Not only was the fund used to improve health in the state, the contract awards followed the relevant procurement laws of the state.

“We make bold to state that no commissioner, adviser or appointee of ex-governor Oyetola was awarded contracts while serving in his government.

“We challenge the state government, who is now on a witch-hunting mission, to publish names of contractors and date of contract awards to substantiate their evil narrative.”

Olabisi accused Adeleke’s administration of lacking transparency and filling government positions with his family members and cronies.

“A notable transparency advocacy group, BudgIT, has reported that Osun state Government has refused to publish relevant information on the state’s e-procurement portal,” he said.

“According to the civic organisation, which uses creative technology to simplify public information, Osun state’s performance on the fiscal transparency league table was impacted by the late submission of the accountant general’s report and the absence of 2024 data on the e-procurement portal.

“The state, therefore, was advised to prioritise the timely submission of financial reports and update its e-procurement platform with current data.

“The state was equally advised to invest in the digital transformation of procurement processes and ensure regular system updates to strengthen transparency and efficiency in public financial management.

“In its Q2 2024 report, BudgIT raises similar concerns, scoring the state 5 out of 11 in the e-procurement system because the e-procurement portal lacked up to date documents.

“The group also has scathing remarks for the state in its Q1 2024 report, saying Osun had no scores for comprehensiveness.“

He said Adeleke’s petition to the anti-graft agency is a “clear case of political vendetta rather than a genuine fight against corruption”.

Olabisi said Oyetola followed all “legal and procedural requirements” during his tenure as governor, adding the claim of financial malfeasance and violation of procurement laws are misleading.