ICPC Clears Osun On Allegations Over Bailout Fund
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) has cleared the Osun State Government on the allegation leveled against it that it diverted and misused the bailout fund released to it by the Federal Government in 2015.
The ICPC in a letter referenced ICPC/INV/GBP/SG.2/520 and dated August 24, 2017, obtained by our correspondent said the bailout was actually expended on payment of salaries and pension of both the state and local government workers and the cadets of the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES).
It would be recalled that a pressure group in the state, the Coalition of Civil Societies for the Emancipation of the People of Osun State had petitioned the ICPC, accusing Governor Rauf Aregbesola of diverting the bailout fund released to the state in 2015.
But the ICPC in the letter addressed to the Secretary of the State Government said no fraction of the petition was substantiated, thereby making it to lack in merit.
The letter was sent with the heading ‘Re: Request For Probe On Diversion And Possible Misuse Of Salary Bailout Fund of Osun State. Save The Soul of Workers and Pensioners in Osun State’.
The letter, signed by the Head of Department of Investigation, Adebayo A. Kayode reads in part, “The above case bordering on diversion and misuse of bailout fund and allowance to effect the full payment of all outstanding salaries, allowances, pensions and gratuities owed to Osun State civil servants and retirees contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act, 2000, was reported to the commission and same has been investigated conclusively with no fraction substantiated.
“A sum of N34, 988, 999, 000.00 was release to Osun State on 31st August, 2015, which was expended on the payment of salaries, civil pensions, OYES cadets’ stipend and allowances and local government salaries and pension.
“In view of paragraph 2 above, it is clear that the bailout fund was not diverted but utilized for its original purpose. Thereforethe commission has set aside the case for lack of merit.”
Reacting to the letter, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa said that apart from being vindicated over the allegation, the ICPC has also confirmed the financial prudence, accountability and sincerity of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Baderinwa urged those he described as busy bodies and politically sponsored pressure groups to desist from writing unnecessary petitions against Aregbesola on lies and fabricated stories just to suit their paymasters.
He opined that the security and anti-graft agencies should be prosecuting groups or individuals submitting frivolous petitions to them for political purposes like the dismissed petition against Aregbesola.