The Osun State Government has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that former governor and current Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, misappropriated a $20 million World Bank health grant. The government also accused Oyetola of financial misconduct and money laundering, calling for a thorough investigation.
According to a copy of the petition dated March 7, 2025, obtained by our correspondent, Oyetola chaired a special Health Intervention Committee during his tenure, overseeing the allocation of the grant. The funds were intended for the renovation of 320 primary health care centers across the state. However, the government claims that contract awards violated the Public Procurement Act.
The petition, submitted by the government’s lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleges that Oyetola bypassed due process by awarding contracts to his associates and government officials instead of qualified construction firms. The beneficiaries reportedly included individuals with no construction expertise, such as food vendors, salon operators, and web designers.
Among the named companies are Poshpreneurs Nig., owned by the children of the former Head of Service, Dotfam Multiventures Ltd, linked to the siblings of the former APC State Chairman, and Afamoks Web International, associated with the former Amotekun Field Commander, Amitolu Shittu.
Additionally, the state government accused 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. The petition alleges that large sums were funneled from the ALGON account at Zenith Bank into the private account of Akeem Ibitoye, a local government finance director, with daily cash withdrawals ranging from ₦10 million to ₦30 million.
Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. “EFCC has not invited me, and I have not seen a copy of the petition. If there is no proof, then the allegations are frivolous,” he said, insisting that he was being targeted for opposing the Adeleke administration.
As the EFCC reviews the petition, political tensions in Osun continue to escalate, with both sides trading accusations over financial misconduct.
