Alleged funds diversion: EFCC quizzes Ogun accountant general, others

The Ibadan Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, reportedly summoned several officials from the Ogun State government as part of an ongoing investigation.

According to Vanguard, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with reporters on Wednesday.

Oyewale said, ”I just called our Ibadan Zonal office, and it was confirmed that some officials of the state government were invited for a chat in respect of an ongoing investigation, and they have since gone back to their state. Nobody was detained”.

Asked to confirm the status of those that were invited by the anti-graft agency, Oyewale said, “I can only tell you that they were officials of Ogun State government, and it was in connection of an ongoing investigation, it’s not more than that”.

Sources confirm that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, invited Ogun State's Accountant General, Tunde Aregbesola, along with four other state officials on Tuesday.

The invitation is linked to a petition from Wale Adedayo, the former Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, who alleged last August that Governor Dapo Abiodun diverted approximately N10.8 billion intended for the state’s 20 local governments.

A senior government official stated, “It is accurate that the Accountant General and several state officials were summoned by the EFCC on Tuesday. I understand it concerns the state’s finances, but the specifics remain unclear.”

Previously, Adedayo had sent a private letter to former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, accusing Governor Abiodun of misappropriating the funds. This letter, which was not intended for public release, eventually surfaced in the media and sparked widespread discussion.

The state government has denied these accusations, asserting that it supplements federal allocations to local governments to help them meet financial obligations, such as salary payments.

Following these allegations, Adedayo was impeached and is now facing trial at an Abeokuta Magistrate Court for allegedly making false accusations and defaming Governor Abiodun.

In response to the EFCC’s invitation, Adedayo commented, “I am aware of the situation and believe it is related to my petition to the EFCC. Lies may travel far, but the truth will always prevail.”

“A friend told me that the Accountant General was granted administrative bail so he could return with some documents, which he claimed would exonerate him. But others are still there. That’s all I know”.