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Gov. Makinde won’t tell us who to investigate: Anti-corruption agency

“We investigate complaints against the state MDAs, local governments, institutions owned by government, companies and individuals.”

• May 6, 2021
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde (Photo Credit: Twitter)
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde (Photo Credit: Twitter)

The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) says the current government possesses the political will to probe anyone indicted for corrupt practices, insisting that nobody, including Governor Seyi Makinde, will order it on whom to investigate.

The Chairman of OYACA, Eni Esan (retd.), stated this on Wednesday during a sensitisation media chat in Ibadan.

She promised that the agency would investigate any individual linked with corruption no matter how highly placed, irrespective of the political party or social status, stressing “everyone is equal before the law.”

Ms Esan explained that the agency was not subjected to the control of any authority and would conduct its investigation discreetly and with human dignity.

The chairman said the government set up the agency to promote good governance, accountability and make the state free of corrupt practices.

“The agency is at the hub of the Oyo state fight against corruption, and our vision is to see the state free from all forms of corruption.

“Nobody will tell us the type of people to investigate. We will investigate any individual that is reported to us no matter the political lineage or social standing.

“We implore the public that has one form of complaint or the other not to shy away from reporting any case of corruption to the agency,” the retired judge said.

According to her, the agency has investigators trained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.

“We investigate complaints against the state MDAs, local governments, institutions owned by government, companies and individuals.

“Our responsibilities also include investigation of an allegation of improper execution of government contracts and recovery of stolen funds, among others.

“We don’t have prosecutorial power. Ours is to investigate complaints on corruption allegations and send to the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution,” Ms Esan said.

(NAN)

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