Forensic audit of Osun finances will help Adeleke govt – Group

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has been urged to conduct a forensic audit of the State’s finances.

This call was made by The Osun Masterminds (TOM), a coalition of civil society organisations during a press conference in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The group, which said it believed that it was too early to assess the Governor’s performances, advised all stakeholders to give him time to settle into the business of governance and avoid needless distractions which may end up hindering the delivery of his electoral promises.

Speaking on the State’s debt profile of N407.32 billion, Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, the group’s Executive Director revealed that the State’s finances had generated a lot of controversies, accusations and counter accusations.

Oyedokun-Alli also held that the governor had demanded more clarity from the Accountant-General before going public with the revelation.

He asked the governor not to give room for sensations while running the State but rather to allow for a more detailed feedback and objective approach.

“The questions are simple. Who took what loan? Who approved the procurement of the loans? Who expended the loans? On what projects were these loans expended? What were the terms of these loans at the time they were taken? How far has the state gone in servicing these loans? Were there corrupt practices perpetrated in the course of procuring these loans?

“These questions can only be answered through a forensic audit of the State’s finances and if necessary, the formation of a panel of enquiry that will engage all past and present stakeholders. This is what Sen. Ademola Adeleke should do to get hold of all important facts and then present a detailed feedback to the people of the State.”

On the issue of gold mining, he stated that the group was aware of reasons the State government suspended all mining licences owned by the Osun State Government.

“The Governor, having constituted a committee on Mining, should allow the committee to do its job, give him a detailed report and then base his statement on the matter on available facts. The committee should look at whether or not the past government received royalty from the license operators or not? What were the terms of the license lease? What are the present environmental impacts of the mining activities and are the host communities being adequately compensated? Is there any provision of the law that bequeaths 13% gold derivative on host States?

“When the above questions are answered by the committee, the Governor will be able to make more informed statements that will not lack solid bases.”

He also condemned the battle for dominance by rival transport unions across motorparks in the State.

“We are aware of reports of the gruesome murder of a former revenue collector in the State and other cases of violence. The government must act fast and decisively too, to ensure that the State does not become a war zone.

“All persons involved in these illegalities must be apprehended and brought to book. He must also as a matter of urgency, make known his policy for the management of parks and transport unions so that the supremacy battle is laid to a final rest,” he added.

Governor Adeleke had on Thursday before the Osun State Council of Traditional Rulers revealed that the State’s debt profile was to the tune of N407.32 billion.

Adeleke accused the outgone governor, Adegboyega Oyetola of obtaining loans on behalf of the State after the July 16, 2022 gubernatorial election with no repayment schedule.

Reacting, the media aide of the former governor, Ismail Omipidan also revealed that the Oyetola administration never took any moans in the four years it was in the saddle.