The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has said it is currently investigating the fraudulent disappearance of N4.8 billion from the state government accounts.
The Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Eni Esan, who disclosed this information on Friday in Ibadan, said the missing money was purportedly given to contractors in 2018 to execute some contracts in the state.
The governor of the state at the time was the late Abiola Ajimobi. The former governor died from multiple organ failure following complications from COVID-19 infection in June 2020.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Esan, who spoke at a news conference to mark International Anti-Corruption Day in Ibadan said the anti-corruption agency was determined to end corruption in the state to enable it to witness rapid development.
She noted that corruption is a recurring problem hindering the economy of Nigeria and affecting all areas of the society; adding that eradicating corruption in Oyo State would help the development of the state and Nigeria in general.
The retired judge said the agency has achieved a lot in fighting corruption and curbing corruption practices since the commencement of operation in April 2021, vowing that it would continue its job until corruption is eradicated in the state.
She revealed that the agency has so far received over 136 petitions on different cases of corruption which have been thoroughly investigated. She said some have been forwarded to the state attorney-general for prosecution.
Investigations on 43 of the petitions, according to her, had been concluded by the agency, 40 are still being investigated while 28 have been abandoned by the petitioners.
Eight petitions have had their investigations concluded and forwarded to the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice for prosecution; while five of them are already in court undergoing prosecution, she said.
Esan said the agency recently handed over some money to 17 petitioners from Ogbomoso, who were defrauded by some government officials, and that the agency would continue to perform its constitutional mandate without bias or interference from any quarters.
According to her, combating corruption is the collective responsibility of all citizens of the state, therefore, she solicited their cooperation in order for the agency to discharge its duties effectively.
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