Rights Group Urges EFCC to Prosecute Ex-Osun Governor Aregbesola Over Alleged ₦600bn LG Funds Diversion

By Enemona Samuel Endurance | The Bureau News

The Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence criminal prosecution of former Osun State Governor, Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, over alleged diversion of local government funds amounting to more than ₦600 billion during his eight-year tenure.

Rights Group Alleges Large-Scale Diversion of Council Allocations

According to CHRSJ, Aregbesola, who governed Osun State between 2010 and 2018, allegedly misappropriated several billions of naira meant for the state’s 30 local government councils through phantom projects and suspended democratic structures at the grassroots level to gain control of statutory allocations.

In a statement signed by Comrade Abiola Ganiyu (Dove), the group’s Deputy General Secretary, and made available to The Bureau News on Sunday, CHRSJ said it would write a fresh petition to the EFCC demanding immediate prosecution of the former governor and his aides without further delay.

Previous Petitions Ignored

The group recalled that it had earlier submitted several petitions to the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Office between 2015 and 2018, urging the anti-graft agency to act immediately after Aregbesola left office and lost immunity.

Petition letters dated September 4, 2015, June 17, 2016, and November 19, 2018 reportedly contained documented evidence of financial misconduct. Copies were also sent to the Presidency, the National Assembly, and international human rights bodies for necessary action.

EFCC Yet to Prosecute

CHRSJ expressed disappointment that despite what it described as “overwhelming evidence,” the EFCC has yet to file charges against the former governor. The group alleged that Aregbesola, alongside his former Commissioners for Finance and for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs — Dr. Wale Bolorunduro and Kolapo Alimi — diverted local government allocations between 2011 and 2014.

The organisation claimed that while over ₦300 billion accrued to the state’s local governments during Aregbesola’s first term, only ₦6 billion could be properly accounted for. Both Bolorunduro and Alimi, it said, remain on administrative bail with the anti-graft agency.

Group Questions Aregbesola’s Moral Standing

CHRSJ criticised Aregbesola’s recent political activities, accusing him of lacking the moral right to lecture Nigerians on good governance. It alleged that during his tenure, the former governor plunged Osun State into “irredeemable debt,” failed to pay salaries and pensions, and introduced the unpopular “half salary” policy that sparked widespread hardship.

“Aregbesola should stop parading himself as a saint of good governance. His eight years in office destroyed the foundations of Osun’s economy and left a legacy of debt and unpaid workers,” the statement read.

CHRSJ Renews Call for EFCC Action

The rights group reiterated that it had concluded arrangements to send another petition to EFCC headquarters demanding that Aregbesola be formally investigated and prosecuted for alleged financial mismanagement during his administration.

“We are appealing to the EFCC to act swiftly. Justice delayed is justice denied, and the people of Osun deserve accountability,” the group said.

— The Bureau News | Nigeria News Today

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