Daud Olatunji
A local anti-corruption group, Grassroots Accountability Project (GAP), has issued a stern warning of impending legal action over alleged widespread misappropriation of public funds by the immediate past Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, Hon. Adetutu Elizabeth Oyesanya.
The group alleges that during Oyesanya’s tenure, funds meant for local development were misused, depriving the local community of essential services and perpetuating poverty.
In a petition signed by GAP’s Coordinator, Gboyega Sadare, the group claims to possess irrefutable evidence of financial malpractices, including embezzlement, flawed procurement processes, and mismanagement of internally generated revenue within the local government under Oyesanya’s administration.
These revelations emerged following an investigation by the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, which scrutinised the financial activities of various local governments, including Ijebu East.
The Assembly Committee, chaired by Hon. Damilare Bello, had previously examined the budget performance, revenue sources, and expenditure of Ijebu East Local Government.
The Committee’s report reportedly indicts Oyesanya, accusing her of financial impropriety and misappropriation of funds, a development that has raised alarm among local residents and stakeholders.
The petition, addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and copied to other top government officials, highlights the detrimental impact of the alleged corruption on grassroots governance.
Sadare emphasised that despite over N1 billion accruing to the local government during Oyesanya’s tenure, there is little to show for it in terms of tangible development projects.
He accused the former Chairman of failing to align her administration’s activities with Governor Abiodun’s ISEYA Agenda, which focuses on infrastructure, social welfare, and economic growth.
Amidst speculations of Oyesanya’s ambitions to contest in the upcoming local government elections, GAP expressed concerns that she is attempting to overturn the indictment against her.
However, the group commended the Assembly Committee for resisting pressure to clear her of the corruption allegations.
Sadare warned that if the government fails to act on the petition, GAP would escalate the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
The petition calls for a thorough investigation and prosecution of Oyesanya and her collaborators, as well as the recovery of misappropriated funds.
The petition further detailed specific projects that were either poorly executed or non-existent despite substantial allocations.
These include the controversial construction of an Ogbere Bridge, valued at N30.5 million, which was allegedly substandard, and the construction of Orita J4 Health Centre, pegged at N18 million, which is suspected to have been marred by fraud.
Additionally, GAP questioned the legitimacy of several other projects, including road repairs and health center renovations, which they claim were grossly overvalued.
Hon. Oyesanya, who succeeded Mr. Wale Adedayo following his impeachment in September 2023, completed her term in July 2024. With the local government elections slated for November 16, 2024, her political future now hangs in the balance as calls for accountability grow louder.
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