Osun State Denies N11 Billion Ecological Fund Diversion, Accuses EFCC of Selective Scrutiny
Speaking on Channels TV, Osun State Commissioner for Information Kolapo Alimi forcefully debunked allegations by APC chieftains and anti-graft investigators claiming that N11 billion in Ecological Funds was diverted into suspicious accounts by the Governor Ademola Adeleke administration.
Alimi challenged critics to produce concrete documentary proof of the alleged transaction while sharply accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of political bias—claiming the agency swiftly acts on APC petitions while ignoring documented money laundering complaints filed by the state against former APC officials.
Deep-Dive Analysis
Rebuttal of Ecological Fund Allegations and Local Government Autonomy Constraints
Commissioner Kolapo Alimi outlined the administration’s financial defense, asserting that the state's fiscal allocations leave no room for the alleged diversion.
Fiscal Realities and Rebuttal of Fund Diversion
- Direct Rejection of N11B Transfer: Alimi stated emphatically that no N11 billion Ecological Fund allocation reached state coffers only to be routed to suspicious private or corporate accounts, demanding that accusers back their claims with bank statements.
- Impact of Direct Local Government Funding: He pointed out that since direct federal allocations to local governments began in February 2025, the state government lost access to council funds, leaving local governments directly responsible for primary school teachers, council staff salaries, and local pensioners.
- State Financial Strain: Alimi explained that with local government liabilities absorbing approximately N6.5 billion monthly from state interventions previously, the state budget operates under tight margins with no surplus funds left to mismanage.
"No such money was received for it to be transferred anywhere. I challenge them: please come out with the reason and back it up with evidence."
Allegations of EFCC Double Standards and Political Scrutiny
Addressing ongoing investigations, Alimi criticized the anti-graft agency's responsiveness, alleging an imbalance in how complaints from opposing political camps are handled.
Selective Investigation and Unacted Petitions
- Ignored Petitions Against APC Figures: Alimi revealed that the Osun State Government submitted detailed petitions to the EFCC in 2025 detailing alleged cash withdrawals exceeding N1.6 billion over a three-month period against a former governor (now Marine Minister) and APC leaders, complete with bank statements, which the EFCC has failed to investigate.
- Rapid Action on APC Complaints: He argued that while Osun officials (including the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Finance) routinely honor EFCC invitations, the agency acts with unprecedented speed whenever the APC submits papers against the Adeleke administration.
- Unlawful Account Freezing: Alimi questioned the legal basis of freezing state accounts without a valid court order, describing it as an erroneous step that undermines state governance.
"The same EFCC to which the state government submitted petitions since 2025 regarding cash withdrawals over N1.6 billion against the Marine Minister... has closed its eyes to that petition. But whenever the APC submits any paper, they start working on it immediately."
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