The last is yet to be heard about the allegation of N.3billion fraudulent practices rocking the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun .Already, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced the investigation into the mind-boggling allegations of misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the College.Those allegedly involved include the younger brother of Chief Bisi Akande, the Former Executive Governor of Osun State and Interim National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Oyeniyi Akande and nine(9) other members of the College management.
The nine (9) persons fingered in the financial improprieties including; College former Acting Provost, Dr. Basiru Gbadamosi, Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Mr. Aderinola Adeoti, former College Bursar, now Bursar College of Education, Ilesa, Mr. Akin Latilo, and Mr. David Olayinka Olojede, the member of the Governing Council. Others were; Mr. Oyegbade Reuben Abayo, Mr. Amobi Yinusa Akinlola, Mr. Ayoola Peter Olajiola, Mr. Moses Oyewole Otitoola, and Mr. Kujeunbola Oluwafemi.
EFCC, in an invitation Letter dated May 13th,2016 with reference No:-CR: 3000/EFCC/ IB/T.C/VOL.1/80 and signed by its South West Zonal Head, Akaninyene Ezima, sent to the Chairman, Civil Societies
Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State for clarification on the group’s petition to the Acting Chairman of the Anti-graft agency.
The invitation Letter titled, “Investigation Activities: Acknowledgement/Invitation Letter” which was made available to newsmen on Sunday by the Chairman of CSCEOS, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman,
the anti-graft Commission invited the group to come and endorse its letter by clarifying some issues surrounding the petition against the aforementioned people.
The EFCC’s Letter read thus: “This is to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated 21st March, 2016 captioned, Request for investigation and prosecution of Mr Oyeniyi Akande, the Part-time Chairman, Governing Council, Osun State College of Education (OSSCE), Ila-Oragun, Osun State and Nine (9) others for the offence of fraudulent conversation and diversion of N.3billion public funds approved for the Tetfund project i.e. the construction of Amphil-theatre and other sundry projects for the growth and
development of the College Community since 2014. Why Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS) is demanding for investigation, arrest and possible prosecution of the culprits and to inform you that investigation has commenced.
“In view of the above, you are hereby requested to report to the EFCC Zonal Office at No.16 Revd. Oyebode Crescent, Iyaganku, G.R.A., Ibadan, for an interview with the undersigned through the Head, Team C, on May 17, 2016, at 10am prompt. You may wish to contact the office through (telephone number withheld) for further clarification”.
Appearing before the anti-graft body last week, Comrade Sulaiman appealed to the official of the Commission who is in-charge of the matter, Mr. Oseni Kazeem to ensure that the culprits were brought tojustice after the thorough investigation by the agency, no matter their positions in the society.
The Petition reads in part: “To this extent, sum of One hundred and seven Million naira (N107m) out of One hundred and twenty-five million (N125m), released by the Federal Government through Tetfund as a Special Intervention fund to the College for building of a Lecture Theatre (Amphittheatre) remains unaccounted for as the foundation of the project has not been completed after two (2) years it was awarded to the Contractor, Digitpro Engineering Technology Limited, Ibadan. But in January 2015, the sum of Five million One hundred and Thirty six Thousand, seven hundred and sixteen naira, Thirty Kobo was released to the contractor-Digitpro Engineering Technology Limited,Ibadan.
“To our dismay, at the one meeting of the College Governing Council where the failed Tetfund Amphitheatre Lecture contract was extensively discussed, the Council noted that though the sum of One Hundred and Seven Million naira (N107m) had been released to the contractor-Digitpro Engineering Technology Limited ,Ibadan, the evaluators which the Governing Council brought from the Osun
StateMinistry of Works and Transport, Abeere, Osogbo valued the work done at the site of the project at Thirteen Million naira (N13m). Surprisingly at the said meeting, Mr. Akande promised to handle the issue with “maturity”. His position to “maturity” rather than sanction and possible arrest is at variance with Mr. Akande’s make-belief anti-corruption posture. This position of Mr. Akande further confirmed our believe that Akande’s hand has been soil with the project funds. Evidence attached as Annexture”
The petition added; “Meanwhile, one of the members of the Governing Council, Mr. Yinka Olojede had earlier confessed that they shared the funds meant for the project in question (Amphitheatre) as being
directed by Mr. Akande and Mr. Niyi Akande as well connive with one of his cronies who floated a Consultancy firm named JAC DIRAN LIMITED, through which he fraudulently collected about Twelve million Naira (N12m) from the amphitheatre project apart from N107million earlier approved to the Contractor which One Hundred and Two million (N102m) released to the contractor”.
-Newsdiaryonline.com