By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A group known as the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) is already making moves to investigate the alleged N407.32 billion debt profile of Osun State.
In a statement signed by the Executive Chairman of CHRSJ, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would be approached to probe the matter.
The group commended the Governor of Osun State, Mr Ademola Adeleke, for opening up the books of the state to know its true financial status.
CHRSJ accused the administrations of Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Mr Gboyega Oyetola of plunging the small state into a debt crisis, stressing that the duo must be punished along with the Director-General of the Osun State Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr Tunde Adejumo, for allegedly “being an accomplice in putting debt of repayment for 28 years on the neck of the State without any tangible justification for the said loan.”
Mr Adeleke, after he assumed office last month, claimed that the state was in a serious debt crisis. However, his predecessor, Mr Oyetola, refuted this, saying he did not obtain any loan from banks. He accused Mr Aregbesola of incurring debts.
But the current Governor said a loan of N18 billion was obtained by Mr Oyetola shortly after he lost his bid for re-election, vowing to probe the two administrations before his.
CHRSJ agrees with Mr Adeleke, noting that all public funds, especially those belonging to Osun State in private pockets, must be retrieved.
The rights group knocked Mr Oyetola over his failure to hand over to the new governor of the state the liability and asset by not constituting a government transition committee like that of Mr Adeleke before the November 27, 2022, handing over date.
It alleged that the immediate former governor had something to hide about the finances of the state then, and that was the reason why he refused to constitute his own transition committee for proper handing over to his successor.
CHRSJ noted that it would soon forward a petition to the EFCC and the ICPC over the alleged mismanagement of the state’s funds in the last 10 years.
Adedapo Adesanya