BREAKING: Adeleke Petitions EFCC, Accuses Ex-Gov Oyetola of $20m, ₦1.5bn Fraud

The Osun State Government has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate former governor and current Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, over alleged mismanagement of a $20 million World Bank health grant.

The petition accuses Oyetola of money laundering, financial misconduct, and violations of the Public Procurement Act in the disbursement of funds meant for improving the state’s health sector. According to a copy of the petition dated March 7, 2025, obtained by our correspondent, Oyetola chaired a special Health Intervention Committee that allocated the funds during his tenure as governor.

The committee, which included former government officials such as Remi Omowaye, Dr. Rafiu Isamatu, and Bola Oyebamiji, allegedly decided to spend the entire $20 million on renovating 320 primary healthcare centers across Osun State. However, the petition claims the contract awards violated procurement laws, as no competitive bidding process was conducted.

Contracts Awarded to Cronies?

The state government alleges that the contracts were awarded to unqualified companies and individuals with ties to Oyetola’s administration, including food vendors, salon operators, supermarket owners, and web designers—businesses with no construction expertise.

Among the named beneficiaries in the petition are:
• Poshpreneurs Nig., allegedly owned by the children of former Head of Service Olowogboyega Oyebade.
• Dotfam Multiventures Ltd., linked to the siblings of former APC State Chairman.
• The Ice Firms Nig. Ltd., allegedly owned by former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke.
• Afamoks Web International, reportedly linked to ex-Amotekun Field Commander, Amitolu Shittu.

The government claims that these companies executed substandard renovation works while receiving full contract payments, leading to the alleged misappropriation of funds.

₦1.5bn Money Laundering Allegation

The petition also accuses Oyetola’s administration of laundering over ₦1.5 billion through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) between January and October 2022.

Former ALGON Chairman, Abiodun Idowu, Secretary, Olubisi Oladosu, 28 former local government caretaker chairmen, and ex-Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Yekeen Adebayo Adeleke, were named as key figures in the alleged scheme.

According to financial records cited in the petition, funds were funneled from ALGON’s Zenith Bank account (1016607858) into the private account of Akeem Ibitoye, a local government employee and Director of Finance at Ejigbo Local Government. Cash withdrawals ranging from ₦10 million to ₦30 million per day were allegedly made without any documentation of official use.

Oyetola’s Camp Denies Allegations

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Reacting to the allegations, former commissioner Adebayo Adeleke dismissed them as “frivolous” and politically motivated.

“I have not seen a copy of the petition, and the EFCC has not invited me. If there’s no proof, then these allegations hold no ground,” he said.

Adeleke further alleged that the accusations were part of a political plot against him. “I have become a thorn in the flesh of Governor Adeleke and the PDP. They think smearing my name will silence me on their fraudulent governance,” he added.

As of now, the EFCC has yet to publicly respond to the petition.