President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the anti-graft agency,
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence the
investigation of alleged diversion of monthly Allocations of thirty
(30) Local Governments area of Osun State leveled against the State
governor, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola and some officials his
government by the State based Civil Society Organization (CSO), the
Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS).
Already, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the anti-graft agency (EFCC) has
written an invitation letter to the Chairman of the CSCEOS, Comrade
Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman to appear before it on 17th May, 2016 for
further clarifications on the subject matter from the group as a
result of its Petition Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, calling
for investigation and stoppage of releasing of Local Government
Monthly Allocations to the State through Mr. Aregbesola.
According the EFCC’s Invitation Letter, dated 13th May, 2016, with the
reference No: CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/T.B/VOL.1/79 and titled: “Investigation
Activities: Acknowledgement/Invitation Letter” signed by EFCC’s Zonal
Head, Akaninyene Ezima which was made available to newsmen on Sunday.
The Invitation Letter reads thus: “This is to acknowledge the receipt
of your petition dated 4th April, 2016, captioned Report of Illegal
Diversion of 30 Local Governments monthly Allocations by the Osun
State Governor, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.Why Civil Societies
Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) is calling for
investigation and stoppage of Releasing of Local Government Monthly
Allocations to Osun State Through Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and to inform
you that investigation has commenced.
“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to report to EFCC
Zonal Office at No.16 Rev’d Oyebode Crescent, Iyaganku Ibadan G.R.A.,
Ibadan for an interview with the undersigned through the Head Team B,
on the 17th May, 2016, at 10am prompt. You may wish to contact the
office through 08098877321 for further clarification”.
It would be recalled that the group’s had earlier written President
Buhari on the issue where the anti-graft agencies in the country were
copied for notification and necessary action, demanding for the
commencement of credible investigation and forensic audit of the
account books of the 30 Constitutionally recognized local government
areas of Osun State and to also investigate the roles of the then
Executive Secretaries, Head of Local Government Administration(HLA)
and Director of Finances as well as former Commissioner and Permanent
Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the
criminal diversion of the monthly Allocation Funds accrued to the
Local Government in the State.
It said, “It is duty bound on us as an organization that is craving
for egalitarian and corrupt free society to draw the urgent attention
of your good office(s) to the ongoing advancement of illegal and
unconstitutional diversion of the monthly Allocations of 30 Local
government areas of Osun State by Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola
since November 2010.
“To affirm this illegality and unconstitutionality, Mr. Rauf
Aregbesola suspended the democratic system in the constitutionally
recognized 30 Local government areas of Osun State by appointing the
grade level 14 local government staff as “Council Managers” to man the
Council areas of the State instead of “democratically elected Chairmen
and Councilors” as stipulated in the Section 7(1) of the amended 1999
Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to give
Aregbesola leeway in the criminal diversion of Local government
funds”.
The group added, “That the Federal Government, National Assembly and
its anti-graft agencies should investigate the acclaimed road projects
embarked upon by Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola on behalf of the Local
Government areas of the State without following due process of Public
Procurement Act. The violation of all due process in managing the
public finances of Osun State by Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has been
seriously impacting negatively on lives of the State masses including
the State and Local Government workers with their retiree are alike”.
