The Osun State Government has rejected the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) allegation that ₦11 billion was looted from the state’s accounts, describing the claim as an attempt to justify what it called the unlawful freezing of government bank accounts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo, the government alleged that the accounts were frozen on the directive of former governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, to frustrate the payment of palliatives approved for civil servants.
“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 workers some months ago. This account freezing marks the climax of Oyetola/Ambo’s historic anti-workers’ obsession,” the statement said.
The government said it had already paid the palliatives following negotiations with labour unions to cushion the impact of the country’s economic hardship.
“Fortunately, we have paid the palliatives to all Osun State workers. The latest payment followed negotiations arising from workers’ request to cushion the effect of the harsh economic climate. This was not the first time such a cost-of-living subsidy was paid to workers in the state,” it said.
The state also denied allegations of financial mismanagement, insisting that public funds had been used for infrastructure projects, workers’ welfare and other development programmes.
“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. We don’t loot public funds in Osun State; we deliver public goods and services,” the statement added.
According to the government, available resources have been channelled into major infrastructure projects, workers’ welfare and sectoral development, leaving no room for the alleged diversion of funds.
The statement further alleged that the EFCC had been investigating senior government officials since March 2026 without uncovering evidence of wrongdoing.
“The EFCC has been conducting a witch-hunting investigation since March 2026 without any indicting evidence against top officials. Government officials are being harassed on a weekly basis, all with the sole aim of distracting them from delivering good governance to the people of Osun,” it said.
The government also cited the state’s record on fiscal transparency, arguing that if the EFCC had credible evidence of wrongdoing, it should follow due legal process rather than freeze government accounts.
“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 cannot stand the test of truth in reality or in the court of public opinion,” the statement said.
The response followed the EFCC’s explanation for freezing the Osun State Government’s bank accounts. The anti-graft agency said the action was taken to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds ahead of the state’s August 15 governorship election.
