The All Progressives Congress (APC) Osun State chapter has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate an alleged N13.7 billion annual payroll fraud under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
While addressing journalists at a press conference in Osogbo on Friday, APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi described the alleged payroll as troubling revelation, urging the anti-corruption agencies to carry out a thorough and independent probe into the state payroll system.
The allegations follow a staff audit report carried out by Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, a firm engaged by the state government to review the payroll system.
According to the him, “The troubling revelation of an alleged annual N13.7 billion payroll fraud rocking the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, as disclosed by the Vice Chairman (Chief Executive Officer) of Sally Tibbot Consulting Limited, Saadat Ottun, has once again vindicated our party and confirmed our patriotic posture over the last three years of the Senator Ademola Adeleke administration.
“The revelation has not only validated the sheer irresponsibility and incompetence of Governor Adeleke and his horde of associates, but has also confirmed that the government in Osun is a cesspool of corruption and one that the anti-corruption agencies must beam their searchlight on to fish out the criminals and economic vagabonds milking the resources of Osun State and lining their pockets with our commonwealth.
The APC also raised concerns over the alleged involvement of the governor’s elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke, in the handling of the audit report.
The party questioned the official capacity for him to received or reviewed the audit findings, noting that he does not hold an elective or statutory position in the state government.
“The alleged complicity of Dr Deji Adeleke and of the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, alongside other key members of the governor’s inner circle, raises serious concerns that non-state actors and those not known to law collude with characters entrusted with the administration of the state over the past three years to shortage the people of the state and illegally enrich themselves with the wealth of the people.
“Ọsun is bleeding. Terribly bleeding. Whoever foisted Governor Adeleke as the political leader of this state, despite evident concerns about his controversial academic credentials, his incompetence and his intellectual hollowness, must reflect deeply, as history will judge such actions.
The party maintained that only a comprehensive investigation by the EFCC and ICPC can only restore public confidence and clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud.
“We call on statutory anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) to thoroughly investigate the alleged payroll fraud and determine the extent of culpability of all individuals involved, especially Dr Deji Adeleke and Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye.
“The people of Osun deserve answers as to why the administration has not fully implemented the recommendations of the audit report to halt the alleged fraud.
“The people of Osun State deserve transparent, responsible, and accountable leadership. The N13.6 billion public fund being paid to ghost workers and siphoned by the friends of the governor can be judiciously used to give a good life to no fewer than 50,000 Osun youths.
Also speaking the Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke clarified that the ghost worker are not inherited for the previous administration as alleged by the state government.
“Saying that these workers are inherited from Previous administration is not true and that is another thing for you to know that this administration is actually built and based on false, wrong accusations and an attempt for them to escape justice all the time.
“APC or member of the party does not have relationships with the company and the woman whatsoever, presented the investigation to Dr. Deji Adeleke, we don’t know them at all, let them stop lying to people.
“They brought the woman and she has done her job, let them come out and tell us exactly what the woman did and what they want to do instead of shifting blame,APC Chieftain, Adebayo Adeleke said.