The Oyo State government yesterday demanded that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC refund the state over N700million and property allegedly recovered from the former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja.
The request was made after the end of the weekly State Executive Council and also urged the anti-graft agency to expedite the trial filed against another former state governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.
Ironically, Alao-Akala, who is standing trial with two of his aides on allegations of fraud amounting to N11.5bn, had accused his predecessor, Ladoja of misappropriating the state money.
According to Mr Taiwo Otegbye, the Commissioner for Information, the request was part of the resolutions of the State Executive Council, and said it was necessitated by the need to invest the money in many other developmental programs that would positively benefit the people of the state.
The terse statement released by the state executive council read:
“The Executive Council of Oyo State Government has passed a resolution urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to expedite action on the trial of the two former governors of Oyo State and their co-accused persons for misappropriation of the state funds and resources.
“It commended the EFCC for the thorough investigation, arrest and prosecution of the two former governors for alleged misappropriation and conversion of the state funds and resources noting that the trials of the former governors were yet to commence.”
The state government also asked the commission to release to it the state government money and property, which included impounded vehicles which were purchased from the proceeds of the loot for some family members which were recovered from the former governors and other accused persons.
“The money and property which were recovered by the anti-graft agency is well over N700million and is still outstanding.”
The council pledged its support and the cooperation of the state government in aiding EFCC in its task of ridding the country of corruption.