The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has revealed that the absence of a substantive Chairman is the reason it has not investigated an alleged fraud involving Governor Ademola Adeleke’s 332 borehole projects following a petition by a coalition.
It would be recalled that a coalition of civil society organizations in Osun state, The Osun Masterminds (TOM) had submitted a petition to the anti-graft agency on October 31st, 2023.
The petition signed by the coalition’s executive director, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, and Comrade Ayo Ologun alleged fraudulent award of contracts and flagrant violation of Osun Public Procurement Law, 2015.
Revealing actions taken on the petition, the Osun State Resident Commissioner of ICPC, Demola Bakare during a media parley to commemorate the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day confirmed that the agency received a petition over projects by the government.
Responding to questions from newsmen, he said: “The petition is receiving necessary attention; the petition has been forwarded to our headquarters in Abuja.
“Presently, we do not have the substantive chairman and there are certain things that every other person apart from the chairman cannot do. If we take many matters to court, I know that the defence lawyers can challenge us that the right person is not prosecuting that case. So, as soon as the new chairman comes, we will look at it and direct actions.”
Earlier, Bakare disclosed: “Analysis of the 2023 National Capital Budget has indeed been revealing. In the 2023 budget, N1.52 trillion worth of projects representing 28.4% of capital allocations across 150 agencies are adjudged suspicious, inserted, or out of MDAs’ mandates. A total of 1,202 projects amounting to N353.29 billion representing 6.60% of capital allocation were considered suspicious projects.” (The Nation)
