Members of the All Progressives Congress caucus in the National Assembly from Osun State have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate alleged irregularities uncovered in the state’s payroll.
In a statement jointly signed on Friday by the lawmakers representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Ijesa South Federal Constituency, and Ife Federal Constituency, Oluwole Oke, Olusanya Omirin, and Abimbola Ajilesoro, the lawmakers described as disturbing reports of “widespread irregularities” and the alleged existence of 15,000 ghost workers within the state payroll.
The caucus said the allegations emerged from an audit conducted by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, which they claimed exposed financial infractions within the current administration.
But the state government had faulted the firm’s claim, saying that the consultant did a hatchet job.
In series of interviews and statements, the government said the firm couldn’t provide names of the alleged ghost workers it claimed to have discovered.
However, the lawmakers said the firm’s findings pointed to what they described as “an alarming level of opacity, monumental corruption, and financial mismanagement” in the state.
“For months, the Osun APC Caucus in the National Assembly consistently raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the handling of public funds in Osun State.
“The latest development has not only justified our position but has also reinforced the patriotic decision taken by members of the APC caucus who recently defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the APC,” the lawmakers said.
The caucus further alleged that the audit revealed that a single Bank Verification Number received salaries for at least 5,615 workers, raising questions about internal controls within the state’s payroll system.
“It is particularly troubling that the unfolding scandal has raised serious questions about the integrity of key figures within the government circle, including the businessman and governor’s godfather, Dr Deji Adeleke, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Kazeem Akinleye,” they added.
The lawmakers also claimed that representatives of Sally Tibbot clarified on a national television programme that the audit covered transactions from January 2023 to June 2024, and did not relate to the administration of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
They argued that in a system where accountability is upheld, those implicated would have stepped aside pending investigation.
“In a society where integrity is upheld and accountability is practised, Governor Adeleke and his Chief of Staff would have tendered their resignations and offered unreserved apologies to the people of Osun,” the caucus stated.
The lawmakers further referenced a reported leaked audio conversation allegedly involving an official of the consulting firm and the governor’s Chief of Staff, describing it as “disturbing” and indicative of an attempt to intimidate auditors.
“The APC caucus therefore calls on the EFCC and ICPC to immediately beam their searchlight on Governor Ademola Adeleke, Dr Deji Adeleke, Mr Kazeem Akinleye, and other officials of the Osun State Government who may have colluded, aided, or abetted the alleged ghost workers fraud,” they added.
Punch
