President Muhammadu Buhari has instructed the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to commence the investigation of alleged diversion of monthly Allocations of thirty (30) Local Governments area of Osun State levelled against the State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and some officials of his government by the state based Civil Society Organization (CSO), the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS).
Consequently, the Ibadan Zonal Office of the anti-graft agency (EFCC) has written an invitation letter to the Chairman of the CSCEOS, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman to appear before it on 17th May, 2016 for further clarifications on the subject matter from the group as a result of its Petition Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, calling for investigation and stoppage of releasing of Local Government Monthly Allocations to the State through Mr. Aregbesola.
According to the EFCC’s Invitation Letter, dated 13th May, 2016, with the reference No: CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/T.B/VOL.1/79 and entitled: ‘Investigation Activities: Acknowledgement/Invitation Letter’ signed by EFCC’s Zonal Head, Akaninyene Ezima which was made available to newsmen on Sunday.
The Invitation Letter reads: “This is to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated 4th April, 2016, captioned: Report of Illegal Diversion of 30 Local Governments monthly Allocations by the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. Why Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) is calling for investigation and stoppage of Releasing of Local Government Monthly Allocations to Osun State through Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and to inform you that investigation has commenced.
“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to report to EFCC Zonal Office at No.16 Rev’d Oyebode Crescent, Iyaganku Ibadan G.R.A., Ibadan for an interview with the undersigned through the Head Team B, on the 17th May, 2016, at 10am prompt. You may wish to contact the office through 08098877321 for further clarification.”
There are reports that the groups had earlier written President Buhari on the issue where the anti-graft agencies in the country were copied for notification and necessary action, demanding for the commencement of credible investigation and forensic audit of the account books of the 30 Constitutionally recognised local government areas of Osun State and to also investigate the roles of the then Executive Secretaries, Head of Local Government Administration (HLA) and Director of Finances as well as former Commissioner and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the criminal diversion of the monthly Allocation Funds accrued to the Local Government in the State.
It said, “It is duty bound on us as an organization that is craving for egalitarian and corrupt free society to draw the urgent attention of your good office(s) to the ongoing advancement of illegal and unconstitutional diversion of the monthly Allocations of 30 Local Government areas of Osun State by Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola since November 2010.
“To affirm this illegality and unconstitutionality, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola suspended the democratic system in the constitutionally recognized 30 Local government areas of Osun State by appointing the grade level 14 local government staff as “Council Managers” to man the Council areas of the State instead of “democratically elected Chairmen and Councillors” as stipulated in the Section 7(1) of the amended 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria in order to give Aregbesola leeway in the criminal diversion of Local government Funds.”
The group added: “That the Federal Government, National Assembly and its anti-graft agencies should investigate the acclaimed road projects embarked upon by Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola on behalf of the Local Government areas of the State without following due process of Public Procurement Act. The violation of all due process in managing the public finances of Osun State by Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has been seriously impacting negatively on lives of the State masses including the State and Local Government workers with their retiree are alike.”