- Osun Govt Denies ₦11bn Looting Allegation, Accuses EFCC of Political Witch Hunt
- The state accused the EFCC of pursuing a politically motivated investigation.
- Officials insisted public funds were spent on projects and workers’ welfare.
The Osun State Government has denied allegations that about ₦11 billion was looted from its coffers, describing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) claims as an attempt to justify what it called the unlawful freezing of the state’s bank accounts.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Olodo Uprising: Sanwo-Olu Advises Youths to Embrace Knowledge, Curiosity
- BBN Season 11 Kicks Off with Unveiling of 24 Housemates Competing for ₦160m Grand Prize
- Why Africa Must Stop Exporting Raw Materials, Lessons From Benin for Nigeria
EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a statement posted on its official 𝕏 account on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted that no financial misconduct had occurred and accused the anti graft agency of acting on the directive of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola to frustrate the payment of palliatives to workers.
According to the statement, “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.”
The state government, however, said it had successfully paid the palliatives to workers after concluding negotiations aimed at cushioning the effects of the country’s economic hardship.
“Fortunately, we have paid the palliatives to all Osun State workers,” the statement read, adding that the cost of living support was not the first welfare package introduced by the current administration.
Rejecting allegations of financial misappropriation, the government accused the EFCC of carrying out what it described as a politically motivated investigation designed to undermine the administration.
“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,” the statement said.
It added, “We don’t loot public funds in Osun State; we deliver on public goods and services.”
The government maintained that the state’s resources had been invested in infrastructure, workers’ welfare and other development projects rather than being diverted.
“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,” it stated.
The Osun Government also alleged that the EFCC had been investigating senior state officials since March 2026 without producing evidence linking them to any wrongdoing.
“The EFCC has been conducting a witch hunting investigation since March, 2026, without any indicting evidence against top officials,” the statement said, alleging that state officials had been subjected to repeated harassment intended “to distract them from delivering good governance.”
It further argued that if the anti graft agency had credible evidence of corruption, it should follow established legal procedures instead of freezing government accounts.
“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,” the government stated.
Describing the allegations as an afterthought, the state government insisted they were aimed at defending an action that had already attracted widespread criticism.
“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 the court of public opinion,” the statement added.
