The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has arrested five staffers of a local government area in Ibadan, Oyo State over allegations bordering on land racketeering and diversion of government funds into private accounts.
The local government workers are currently being subjected to investigations, a few weeks after OYACA called on members of the public to submit petitions on cases bordering on corrupt practices in government agencies, ministries, and departments within Oyo State.
The identities of the officials and their local government area in the State were not disclosed as at the time of going to press.
According to a statement issued by the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) and signed by the Chairman, Honorable Justice Eni Esan on Thursday, investigations were still ongoing to unravel the matter and ensure appropriate legal actions are taken against the suspects if found guilty.
Her words: “the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), in carrying out its statutory mandate, has nabbed five officials of a local government area in Ibadan, Oyo State, on allegations of land racketeering and diversion of government funds into private accounts.
“Investigation is still ongoing to unravel the matter and ensure that the appropriate legal actions are taken.”
It will be recalled that the agency, saddled with the responsibility of pushing the state government’s zero tolerance for corruption mandate, had made it known that it had received several petitions that are under investigations through its chairman who also made it known to the public that the agency had been able to make some fund recovery from a contractor who failed to perform the government contract awarded to him.
According to Justice Esan, the agency had been receiving petitions from government departments, agencies, and individuals, adding that “to date, the agency has received 41 petitions; three of which were referred to other agencies for necessary action, six were found to be frivolous while three are non-petition/ intelligence-led cases which the agency took upon its own initiative.
“Two prima facie cases that were established have been referred to the Honourable Attorney General for prosecution while two others are being packaged for referral to the Attorney General. So far, 12 petitions which did not require prosecution have been concluded and appropriate recommendations made and legal advice duly rendered; the remaining petitions are under various stages of an investigation,” she said.
The OYACA chairman had reiterated that anyone that gives information to the agency will be protected, asking the public not to entertain any fear in giving information to the agency when they have facts about acts of corruption as everyone has a role to play if the society will win the fight against corruption.
Justice Esan however sounded a note of warning to people that deliberately fabricate false information for mischief and to cause trouble to others, emphasising that such people should know they are liable before the law.
She also noted that the anti-corruption body has commenced therefore commenced the opening of local government offices to make the submission of letters or petitions easy for the people.
Add Comment