APC Seeks ICPC, EFCC Probe Into Alleged Payroll Fraud in Osun

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has called on anti-corruption agencies to investigate an alleged payroll fraud involving the state government and a consulting firm, Sally Tibbot Limited.

The opposition party urged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the matter and determine the level of culpability of all parties implicated.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Friday, Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, expressed concern over what he described as Governor Ademola Adeleke’s handling of the controversy surrounding the staff audit report conducted for the administration by Sally Tibbot Limited.

The dispute follows allegations of buck-passing between the state government and the Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Sa’adat Bakrin-Ottun, over the non-implementation of the audit report.

Olabisi questioned the process through which the audit findings were reportedly presented to Dr Deji Adeleke, a member of the Adeleke family, rather than directly to the governor.

“It is particularly troubling that the audit findings were reportedly presented to Dr Deji Adeleke while the elected governor appeared sidelined,” Olabisi said. “This development raises questions about the structure of authority and accountability within the current administration.”

He further queried the official role of Dr Deji Adeleke in the verification of state government documents, noting that he had previously distanced himself from partisan politics.

“The people of Osun State deserve clarity on this matter,” Olabisi added.

The APC specifically called for an investigation into the roles allegedly played by Dr Deji Adeleke and Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye in the matter.

However, the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed the allegations, describing the APC’s stance as politically motivated.

In a statement, Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, said it was ironic that the APC had become what he termed “the loudest defender of a consultant whose figures crumbled under simple verification.”

“Birds of the same feather flock together,” Bisi said. “The people of Osun can now clearly see what appears to be a political alignment between a discredited party and a questionable report designed to undermine a performing government.”

Bisi argued that any investigation should focus on what he described as payroll irregularities inherited from the previous administration, adding that the current government was implementing reforms to sanitise the system.

“If there is any fraud to be investigated, it is the legacy payroll mess inherited from the past government,” he said. “We challenge the APC to present verifiable evidence to anti-corruption agencies rather than engaging in media theatrics.”

The PDP reaffirmed its confidence in Governor Adeleke’s commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that it would welcome any credible investigation aimed at establishing the truth.

The unfolding dispute marks the latest chapter in the political rivalry between the APC and PDP in Osun State, as both parties trade accusations over governance and public sector reforms.