The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), has vowed to investigate and see to the prosecution of any local government Chairman that is accused of corrupt practices in the State.
This is in response to questions from journalists by the Chairman of OYACA, Justice Eni Esan (rtd) on the roles of the agency in curbing corruptive tendencies associated to the local government system and the general insinuations about possible mismanagement of funds by the council Chairmen.
Recall that the Supreme Court recently gave judgement that called for direct payment of Local Government allocation to their respective accounts.
Eni Esan, who spoke at a sensitization programme on the Roles of Stakeholders in The Fight Against Corruption, organized by the agency for Directors of Ministries, Directorate and Agencies (MDAs) of Oyo State Government at Ibadan on Thursday, stated that her OYACA poised to look into any petition against any local government Chairman, forwarded to the agency, investigate and bring the culprit to book.
“OYACA will look into any petition and bring whoever is guilty to book, whether the person is a Local Government Chairman or a member of the council administrators, whatever position the person is holding, OYACA is no respecter of persons.
“We have investigated the highs and the mighty, so it doesn’t make any difference to us, once there is an allegation of corruption, we are backed by law to bring the perpetrators to book, either by taking them to court to indict them or we advise the Civil Service to invoke its rules to punish the perpetrators if they are Civil servants.”
She added that the agency has spent much efforts on preventive measures to nip corruption in the bud with the use of orientation, sensitization and advocacy approaches to bring every sector of the society into terms with the effects of corrupt acts in the State.
The retired Justice maintained that the approach has helped to prevent corrupt practices, as people’s mindsets has changed for better, knowing the consequences of the act from the advocacy programmes.
“Sensitization is a huge part of nipping corruption in the bud, like what you just witnessed at this event where Directors of MDAs were sensitized about what corruption is, its effects on the State’s economy and the society, the punishment that await perpetrators as well as roles they can play to prevent corruption.
“We have been doing this all over the State, so it is not business as usual, as the psyche of the people has changed, their mindset has changed, people who wanted to engage in corruption, when they listen to us, they change their minds.”
The sensitization event was witnessed by Board and management members of OYACA like among whom are Deaconess Afe Olopade, a board member, Barrister Tijani I. O, the agency’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Folasade Ajibade, Director Information and Technology, Mr Lere Omotoso, Director Administration and Supply as well as Mr Akindele Azeez who is the Director, Finance and Administration.