The Osun State Government has strongly pushed back against allegations of infrastructure fraud and the diversion of public funds, describing the claims as unfounded and politically motivated. The response comes amid growing attention to a petition accusing top administration officials of financial misconduct.
In an official statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government aligned with Ademola Adeleke’s position, insisting that the allegations lack substance and should be disregarded entirely.
The controversy stems from a petition reportedly submitted by a group identified as the Osun Youths Initiative for Good Governance.
The document alleged that key government figures, including the Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, and the Accountant General, Rasheed Alabi, were involved in diverting funds received from the Federal Government without proper legislative approval.
The state government has categorically rejected those claims.
“Let it be stated in clear terms that the allegations of infrastructure fraud, mismanagement of public funds, impropriety in project execution and the claim of diverting funds received by the state from the Federal Government without legislative approval are not true and have no substance,” the statement read.
Beyond a general denial, the government sought to dismantle specific aspects of the accusation. It clarified that the office of the Chief of Staff does not have operational control over state finances or the authority to approve public disbursements, making the allegation against Akinleye structurally flawed.
“At no time has the Chief of Staff to the Governor, who is not the custodian of state treasury nor the statutory authorising authority for public disbursement, diverted any public funds, whether directly or by proxy,” Alimi stated.
Attention was also given to the role of the Accountant General, with the government emphasizing that established procedures govern financial operations within the state.
According to the statement, all transactions comply with appropriation laws, treasury regulations, and appropriate authorization frameworks designed to ensure accountability.
To reinforce its position, the administration pointed to its performance in fiscal transparency assessments, noting that Osun State achieved a full score in a recent evaluation by the BudgIT Fiscal Transparency League Table. The reference was presented as evidence of adherence to open governance standards.
Another aspect of the petition that drew a sharp response was the inclusion of private individuals, including Deji Adeleke and Dupe Adeleke-Sanni.
The government described their mention as inappropriate, stressing that neither individual holds a government position nor has any involvement in public fund management.
“Their inclusion in the petition is unwarranted and defamatory,” the statement added.
The administration has urged both the public and media organizations to treat the allegations with caution, warning against amplifying claims it considers misleading.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing infrastructure projects and governance programs across the state.
While the petition has introduced fresh scrutiny, the government’s response signals an attempt to contain the narrative early, framing the allegations as lacking credibility.
Whether the issue evolves into a formal investigation or fades as a political dispute will likely depend on further action from relevant oversight bodies.
For now, the Osun State Government maintains that its financial processes remain intact, regulated, and transparent as it continues to advance its development agenda.
