The Osun State Government has dismissed allegations that it misappropriated ₦11bn, insisting that no public funds were stolen and accusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of attempting to justify its decision to freeze the state's bank accounts.
The state's Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, stated on Thursday that the allegations lacked merit, alleging that the anti-graft agency acted under the influence of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola to obstruct the payment of palliatives approved for civil servants.
Alimi said the government had already paid the palliatives to workers despite the restriction placed on its accounts, noting that the intervention was part of measures introduced to ease the economic hardship facing residents.
He maintained that the Adeleke administration had remained committed to prudent management of public resources, adding that available funds were being invested in road projects, workers' welfare and other critical sectors across the state.
The commissioner alleged that the EFCC's investigation, which he said began in March 2026, had failed to produce any evidence linking government officials to financial misconduct.
He further described the freezing of the state's accounts as politically motivated, arguing that the commission should have followed established legal procedures if it possessed credible evidence against any official.
Alimi also accused the agency of embarking on a campaign to damage the image of the state government, insisting that the allegations were fabricated to defend what he described as an unlawful action.
The government's response comes after the EFCC said it froze the Osun State Government's accounts to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
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