The Osun State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen in Osun State have clashed over allegations of illegal disbursement of local government funds, escalating a long-running battle over control of council areas.
The Assembly accused banks and APC-elected chairmen of improperly releasing large sums from council allocations, with former governor Adegboyega Oyetola allegedly implicated in the transactions. The APC chairmen have, however, rejected the allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated.
Addressing journalists on Sunday at the Assembly Complex, the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, said lawmakers uncovered what he described as “systematic illegal disbursement” of local government funds.
According to Egbedun, the payments allegedly included:
• ₦25 million to each of the 30 local government chairmen
• ₦12 million to each vice chairman
• ₦10 million to each of the 332 APC councillors
• ₦130 million to selected traditional rulers
• ₦13 billion paid as legal fees, representing 15% of deposited funds
The Speaker warned banks against releasing local government funds based on instructions from unauthorised individuals, stressing that such actions amount to criminal conduct.
“Illegal disbursement of public funds is fraudulent. It is not banking practice. It is not political discretion. It is a crime,” Egbedun said.
He added that any funds allegedly disbursed by UBA on what he described as illegal instructions linked to Oyetola would be treated as a personal gift and must not be deducted from Osun State local government accounts.
The dispute has further heightened political tension in the state as investigations and counterclaims continue.
Post a Comment