The Osun State Government has denied allegations that ₦11 billion was misappropriated from its coffers, describing the claims reportedly attributed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, accused the anti-graft agency of freezing the state’s bank accounts to frustrate the payment of palliatives to workers.
According to the government, the account freeze was carried out at the instance of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. It, however, stated that all promised palliatives had already been paid to workers despite the restriction.
“The real reason the commission froze the state account on the order of Gboyega Oyetola was to stop the payment of palliatives promised to workers. Fortunately, we have paid the palliatives to all Osun State workers,” the statement said.
The government rejected allegations of financial misconduct, insisting that available state resources had been used for infrastructure projects, workers’ welfare and other development programmes rather than being diverted.
It also alleged that the EFCC had been investigating top government officials since March 2026 without uncovering evidence of wrongdoing, describing the probe as a “witch-hunt” intended to distract the administration.
The state further argued that if the EFCC had credible evidence of corruption, it should follow established legal procedures instead of freezing government accounts. It described the reported allegations as an attempt to justify what it called an unlawful action.
“We don’t loot public funds in Osun State; we deliver public goods and services,” the government stated, adding that the anti-graft agency’s claims would not withstand legal or public scrutiny.
The response followed reports that the EFCC said it froze the Osun State Government’s bank accounts to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds ahead of the state’s August 15 governorship election.
