Oyetola, Adeleke’s commissioners trade words over alleged N3.7bn mismanagement
The ongoing political feud between chieftains of the All Progressives Congress and the Osun State Government took a new turn on Monday as the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, accused his predecessor, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, of overseeing the withdrawal of N3.7bn by some officials of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria .
Adeleke, who served under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola between 2019 and 2022, made the allegations while responding to a petition filed against him by the state government.
The petition, submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, accused Adeleke of illegally securing renovation contracts for Primary Healthcare Centres while still in public office.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo alongside chairmen elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections, Adeleke refuted the allegations and accused the current administration of financial mismanagement.
He claimed that part of the alleged missing funds was moved through ALGON officials who served under former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.
Adeleke further accused the current administration of mismanaging N2bn in COVID-19 relief funds and awarding contracts without following due process.
He alleged that from 2017 to 2018, substantial sums of money were withdrawn under Alimi’s supervision.
He cited a case on December 27, 2017, when a former ALGON Chairman, Jayeola Omoboyede, allegedly withdrew N60m on in six tranches of N10 million each.
He also claimed that on the following day, then ALGON Secretary and now Special Adviser to Governor Adeleke on Children’s Affairs, Temilade Olokungboye, withdrew N70m in a single transaction.
Adeleke further claimed that multiple withdrawals took place, including a N100m withdrawal on March 29, 2018, by Omoboyede and Olokungboye.
He insisted that the current administration was attempting to scapegoat him without proof while ignoring the financial activities of its own officials.
“They alleged that we laundered money, but they have no proof. Now, we have their records,” Adeleke declared.
Regarding allegations that he took a Primary Healthcare Centre renovation contract, Adeleke admitted that the company involved belonged to him but insisted he resigned from it upon his appointment as commissioner.
But firing back at Adeleke, Alimi challenged him to submit a formal petition to the EFCC if he believed he had a case.
Alimi insisted that the allegations against Adeleke were valid and not a political ploy, urging him to address the charges rather than seeking to deflect blame.
“First and foremost, the allegations against Adeleke sent to the EFCC are true. This is not tit for tat. If they believe there is a case against me, they should file a petition before the EFCC instead of making noise in the media,” Alimi said.
He argued that ALGON operates independently and is not directly under a commissioner’s supervision.
According to him, the officials mentioned were responsible for managing its accounts, and if Adeleke had evidence of irregularities, he should formally petition the authorities.
Alimi explained that, unlike Adeleke’s case where funds allegedly moved from local government accounts to private accounts, no such transactions occurred under his supervision.
He also pointed out that three individuals—Jayeola Omoboyede, Sekinat Olokungboye, and Kujembola (currently the APC state treasurer)—were signatories to the ALGON account at the time.
“Why did they fail to mention Kujembola? They are hypocrites. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission has already invited Adeleke, and the EFCC will soon invite all of them for prosecution,” he added.
