Osun State Fires Back at EFCC: No N11 Billion Looted Here, We Deliver
The Osun State Government has hit back hard at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, rejecting claims that N11 billion was looted from its accounts. In a bold statement on Thursday, the government called the allegations a failed attempt to cover up illegal actions with baseless accusations.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, took to X to set the record straight. He accused the anti-graft agency of acting on orders from former Governor Gboyega Oyetola to block the payment of palliatives to state workers. The real motive, he said, was to frustrate the government's promise to ease the economic burden on citizens.
“The EFCC froze our account on Oyetola's directive to stop the payment of palliatives we promised workers months ago,” Alimi stated. “But we paid them anyway. All Osun State workers have received their cost of living subsidy. This is not the first time we have done this, and it won't be the last.”
The government dismissed allegations of misappropriation as a political witch-hunt. “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,” the statement read.
In a defiant tone that resonated with many Nigerians, the government declared: “We don't loot public funds in Osun State; we deliver on public goods and services.” It emphasized that every naira is spent on infrastructure, workers' welfare, and sectoral development. “There is no fund to loot in Osun State as the little resources we have are expended on the many mega projects, workers welfare and sectoral developments for the benefit of the masses,” the government added.
The EFCC has been investigating top officials since March 2026, but the government claims the probe has turned up nothing. “The EFCC has been conducting a witch-hunting investigation since March, 2026, without any indicting evidence against top officials,” Alimi said. Officials have been subjected to weekly harassment, he added, designed to distract them from delivering good governance.
The government challenged the EFCC to follow due process if it has credible evidence. “Assuming but not conceding that the EFCC has any evidence of looting as posited, there are established procedures for bringing suspects to book instead of a politically motivated, unlawful freezing of government accounts without recourse to the rule of law,” the statement argued.
Calling the EFCC's allegations an afterthought, the government concluded: “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 it cannot stand the test of truth in reality and the court of public opinion.”
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the EFCC froze the state's accounts to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds ahead of the August 15 governorship election. But Osun State is not backing down. This is a government that knows its worth and is ready to fight for its people.
Why the EFCC Freeze Failed: Osun Paid Workers Anyway
The government's resilience in paying palliatives despite the account freeze shows a commitment to workers that many states can learn from. It is a clear message: no external interference will stop the delivery of public goods in Osun.
Political Witch-Hunt or Genuine Anti-Corruption?
Many Nigerians are asking: is the EFCC being used as a political tool? The Osun government believes so, pointing to the timing of the freeze and the lack of evidence. This case highlights the ongoing tension between federal agencies and state governments in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Osun State Government loot N11 billion?
No. The government has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. It says all funds are spent on infrastructure, workers' welfare, and development projects.
Why did the EFCC freeze Osun State's accounts?
The EFCC claims it was to prevent the diversion of public funds. But the Osun government alleges it was a directive from former Governor Gboyega Oyetola to stop the payment of palliatives to workers.
Have Osun workers received their palliatives?
Yes. Despite the account freeze, the government says it has paid all state workers their cost of living subsidy.
Is the EFCC investigation politically motivated?
The Osun government says yes. It claims the investigation has been ongoing since March 2026 without finding any evidence of wrongdoing against top officials.