Former commissioners and special advisers who served under ex-Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola have dismissed allegations of financial misconduct leveled against their former principal by the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
Governor Adeleke, in a petition filed before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in March 2025, accused Oyetola—now the Minister of Blue Economy—of misappropriating a $20 million World Bank health grant. The petition also alleged money laundering, claiming that the entire sum was allocated for the renovation of 320 primary health centers in Osun State in violation of the Public Procurement Act. According to the petition, Oyetola, as chair of a special Health Intervention Committee, oversaw the disbursement of the funds under questionable circumstances.
Reacting to the allegations, the Director of Media and Information for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olabisi, alongside former officials including Alhaji Abdul Hakeem, Dr. Festus Oyebade, Hon. Leke Ogunsola, Hon. Remi Omowaye, Prof. Olamiju Sijiola, and former Commissioner for Information Mrs. Funke Egbemode, faulted the claims made by the Osun government.
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Speaking on their behalf, Olabisi declared that no member of Oyetola’s cabinet benefitted from the World Bank grant.
“The Save One Million Lives (SOML) project is a World Bank initiative aimed at improving maternal and child health services. The funds received by Osun State were closely monitored by the donor. Not only were they used for improving healthcare, but all contracts followed due procurement processes,” Olabisi stated.
He challenged the Osun government to provide evidence by publishing the names of contractors and contract award dates, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.
The former aides maintained that Oyetola adhered to all legal and procedural requirements in managing the funds.
“The claim that procurement rules were flouted is misleading. Contracts were awarded in line with the Osun State Public Procurement Law. This is nothing but a political witch-hunt against Oyetola,” Olabisi added.
Addressing the money laundering claims against the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Olabisi described the accusations as unproven.
“If a civil servant was withdrawing N100 million daily, as claimed, where are the bank records to substantiate this? Was there an official audit by an independent agency? Allegations without forensic investigations should not be taken as facts.”
He further clarified that the $20.467 million was converted into N6.26 billion and credited to the Osun State Government account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), asserting that records at the CBN could confirm the transparency of the transactions.
“Governance should be about truth and due process, not political revenge. If there is proof of wrongdoing, take it to court. Otherwise, misleading the public for political gain is unacceptable. Oyetola’s leadership remains a model of accountability,” he concluded.
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