Osun LG’s fund: APC, PDP Chieftain at loggerhead over N3.7bn alleged misappropriation
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, has strongly refuted allegations of financial misconduct levelled against him by Prince Adebayo Adeleke, also known as Banik.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Alimi described the accusations as baseless and challenged Banik to present concrete evidence of any fraudulent activities on his part. He further dared his accuser to respond to invitations from anti-corruption agencies regarding the serious allegations levelled against him.
“I would not have bothered to respond to Prince Adebayo Adeleke (a.k.a Banik) and his cohorts over these latest unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations. However, I must set the record straight to prevent the public from being misled by his claims,” the statement read.
Alimi further dismissed Banik’s allegations as a desperate attempt to divert attention from his own troubles. “Prince Adebayo Adeleke is a man facing serious allegations himself, and rather than addressing them, he is clutching at straws by making baseless accusations against me,” Alimi asserted.
He accused his predecessor of financial misconduct during his tenure as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration.
“For the umpteenth time, let me reiterate that my decision to take legal action against him for attempting to smear my reputation is not a mere threat,” Alimi stated. “At the appropriate time, he and those aligned with him will be held accountable.”
The commissioner also condemned Adeleke’s alleged use of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) as a front to continue his attacks. “I call on him to desist from using ALGON as a cover to make baseless claims against me,” he added.
In response, Adeleke has accused Alimi of misappropriating ¦ 3.7 billion during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the administration of former Governor Oyetola.
Adeleke, who succeeded Alimi in the same ministry, has challenged him to present verifiable records detailing the utilisation of the funds, claiming that there is no evidence of how the money was spent or what projects were executed under his supervision.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement by Barrister Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment,” Adeleke said. “The records show no trace of how ¦ 3.7 billion was spent from the ALGON account under his watch.”
Adeleke further asserted that during his own tenure, he ensured that all financial transactions and projects were duly documented, approved, and certified by the Auditor General for Local Government.
He criticised Alimi for making legal threats rather than responding to the financial allegations.
“It is unacceptable for Barrister Alimi to attempt to intimidate me with talk of a lawsuit while refusing to address the serious allegations against him. His actions are disgraceful and inappropriate for a public official,” Adeleke stated.
He further warned that more legal challenges could be forthcoming.
“There are many more revelations ahead, and he should be prepared to answer in court multiple times,” Adeleke added.
The Osun State Police Command has not confirmed whether it has received a formal complaint from either party, but sources indicate that anti-corruption agencies may launch an inquiry into the allegations.
