No ₦11bn Stolen, No Evidence Found—Yet EFCC Keeps Harassing Us, Osun Fumes
State government accuses anti-graft agency of acting on ex-Governor Oyetola’s orders to block worker palliatives
The Osun State Government has fiercely rejected allegations that ₦11 billion was looted from state coffers, branding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) claims as a “failed attempt to cover up illegal action through unfounded allegations.”
In a blistering statement issued Thursday on X, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, insisted there was zero financial misconduct and accused the anti-graft agency of dancing to the tune of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
“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 statement declared.
The government revealed it had already paid the palliatives to all state workers despite the account freeze, following negotiations aimed at cushioning the country’s economic hardships.
“Fortunately, we have paid the palliatives to all Osun State workers,” the statement added, noting this wasn’t the first time such cost-of-living subsidies had been provided.
‘Hatchet Job’ or Due Process?
Rejecting allegations of misappropriation, the Osun government accused the EFCC of pursuing a politically motivated vendetta.
“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,” it stated.
The government fired back with a defiant declaration: “We don’t loot public funds in Osun State; we deliver on public goods and services.”
According to the statement, available state resources have been channeled into infrastructure, workers’ welfare, and sectoral development—not private pockets.
“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,” the government said.
EFCC’s ‘Witch-Hunt’ Since March
The state also alleged that the EFCC had been investigating top officials since March 2026 without uncovering any incriminating evidence.
“The EFCC has been conducting a witch-hunting investigation since March 2026, without any indicting evidence against top officials,” the statement read, adding that officials faced weekly harassment intended “to distract them from delivering good governance.”
The government argued that if the commission possessed credible evidence of corruption, it should follow due process rather than 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,” it said.
‘Afterthought’ That Can’t Stand
Describing the EFCC’s reported allegations as an afterthought, the Osun government delivered its final blow:
“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.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the EFCC froze the Osun State Government’s bank accounts to prevent alleged diversion of public funds, despite the state’s August 15 governorship election looming.
