On a December day sometime in the late 2020, disturbed by administrative malfeasance, criminal breach of trust, infractions on the procurement of official vehicles estimated to be whooping 1.3 billion naira, a lawyer and former prosecutor with special presidential panel on recovery of public property, Tosin Ojaomo filed a frightening petition against Oyo state house of Assembly.
In what kicked off EFCC and Oyo house of Assembly month long face-off, the petitioner alleged there was foul play in ways and manner official cars were procured for members of the 9th house of Assembly. And on the 7th of July, 2021, Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Guardian Newspaper says has commenced drilling and grilling of six officials of the State House of Assembly over “alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of office to the tune of over N1.3 billion”.
The officials grilled, drilled and interrogated include Kolawole Samuel Kayode (Director of Administration), Ogundipe Beatrice Olanike (Director of Finance), Adeoye Olusegun Adebowale (Paymaster), Gbadebo Taiwo Temitope Tosin (Officer-in-Charge of other charges), Oyediran Foluke Felicia (former Clerk) and Muraina-Akinola Taiwo Adenike. “The 1.3billion naira contract was for the supply of new 2019 vehicle models” the petitioner writes “but refurbished models with clean-up mileage were supplied instead”.
Then on the 27th of July, 2021, Sahara Reporters reports that the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the account of the Oyo State House of Assembly over alleged embezzlement of N1.3 billion by the Assembly members. Several media outlets also reported the story. As expected, the Chairman, House committee on information, Mr. Kazeem Olayanju denied and discarded such report saying neither its account nor those of any of its directors were frozen by the EFCC.
“Recently” he corroborated his stand in a statement made available to news men “EFCC invited some top staff of the house over a petition on how we bought our official cars as state lawmakers. They appeared, answered all questions and all necessary documents were presented for accountability and that was all.
But was that all? An unconfirmed source at the Assembly claims the EFCC is widening its net to include constituency allocation funds, running costs, and others. Given the way most state houses of Assembly have become rubber stamps, conduits for graft and a disturbingly weak arm of government, this bold step by the EFCC if sincerely and properly allowed to take root might be a game changer leading to a paradigm shift from the status quo. In other words, EFCC searchlight into the financial dealings of Oyo house of assembly might just be the start of a wide scrutiny and investigation that may not end soon even after this procurement pandemonium is resolved.
Honorable Kazeem Olayanju, chairman, house committee on information is a typical Nigerian politician. He spoke with such finality in his tone. As a rule of thumb, it would seems foolhardy for him to say otherwise. But his rhetoric seems counterintuitive. Or how do we interpret “that was all” in the statement credited to the lawmaker representing Irepo/Olorunsogo state constituency? One of the allegations the petitioner put forward was that “the car contract was fraudulently arranged to favor the contractor instead of Elizade motors and Mandilas Motors which also tendered quotations”. Here, there is a need for detailed and thorough explanation on how true this weighty allegation is.
Of truth, contract bidding process is clearly stated in the house established procurement rules. Essentially, this means the contract is not for all win. Impossible. For contract bidding is a zero sum game. Either win or lose. But the need for openness, fairness and transparency in ways state affairs are run or in ways tax payers money is spent particularly on luxuries such as cars must have influenced the petitioner to include this as part of his anger towards the house.
In essence, what operates in state assembly houses is a microcosm of what operates in the larger society: favoritism, nepotism, prebendalism and patrimonialism among others. So, the idea that transparency, openness and fairness should guide and guard public office holders appear preposterous. But given that Oyo is a pace setting state, the assembly ought to have demonstrated that in all her dealings including the procurement of official cars for the lawmakers.
Going further, the models of the cars supplied as included in the petition by Barrister Tosin Ojaomo have also raised dust such that “some of the cars supplied by the contractor started having mechanical and electrical problems few days after delivery to the lawmakers”. Again, no comment was made on this and efforts by Journalist to confirm the authenticity of this allegation proved abortive according to Newspeakonline.
In an intellectually savvy and politically conscious state like Oyo, being open and fair and transparent to all and sundry remain the easiest way to avoid public cudgel and navigate the murky water of politics successfully. Trying to conceal the truth or muddle public conversation using proxy is both counterproductive and self-serving. The end will always justify the means.
OYO101, Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion on issues affecting Oyo State, is published on Saturdays. He can be reached via muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
