ICPC CLEARS ONI OF ALLEGED DIVERSION OF LG FUNDS

By Lere Olayinka

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has cleared the governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni of diversion, misappropriation and hijacking of Local Governments statutory allocations.

A group, Coalition for Probity in Government, which gave its address as Ileosun Street, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State had written a petition dated September 1, 2008, alleging that Governor Oni was diverting allocations meant for the 16 local councils in the State for personal use.

However, the ICPC, in a letter with reference number ICPC/P/SW/635/2008, dated July 5, 2010, a copy of which was made available to press men, said it found no infraction of the provisions of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The letter, addressed to the petitioner and signed by Enosa Omonighibo on behalf of the ICPC Chairman was copied to Governor Oni.

The letter read; “The petition dated September 1, 2008 on the above subject refers please.

“I am directed to inform you that after discreet investigation of the allegations contained in the petition, the Commission finds no infraction of the provisions of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Act 2000.

“In coming to the above conclusion, the Commission noted particularly the fact that there was no credible evidence found during investigation to show that the Governor chaired the JAAC meetings for personal benefit or for the purposes of influencing the decisions either way for personal benefit or to confer unfair advantage on another; besides, the sharing formula adopted is specified in a law duly enacted by the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

“It is hoped that the role played by the Commission and the above information will serve your purpose.

“Accept please, the assurance of the Hon. Chairman.”