N30BN WENT MISSING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, NOT OYO FINANCE MINISTRY — ADEKANMBI
Former Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, Bimbo Adekanmbi, has clarified his position on allegations surrounding the disappearance of about N30 billion during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Adekanmbi said the funds in question were connected to activities at the local government level and not the Oyo State Ministry of Finance, where he served as commissioner.
He explained that although his name was linked to the controversy and he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations involving the funds, he maintained that he had no involvement in the alleged financial activities.
According to him, some of the allegations involved local government expenditures, including claims relating to contracts, tractors and cash withdrawals.
Adekanmbi stressed that his official responsibilities were at the Ministry of Finance and that he was not a member of the Joint Allocation Committee (JAC), which dealt with local government funds.
He said he was surprised when allegations were made against him, particularly claims that he personally authorised or paid out money that was allegedly missing.
The former commissioner said he was subsequently invited to Abuja to respond to the allegations and was subjected to investigations before, according to him, he was eventually cleared of wrongdoing.
Adekanmbi maintained that the controversy should not be used to wrongly attribute local government financial activities to the state Ministry of Finance or individuals who were not responsible for them.
The issue dates back to allegations concerning the handling of billions of naira during the previous administration in Oyo State. Adekanmbi has previously spoken publicly about the matter and insisted that he was not involved in the alleged misappropriation.
He said the circumstances surrounding the funds should be properly investigated and that responsibility should be assigned to those directly involved rather than individuals who had no role in the transactions.
The former commissioner also urged the people of Oyo State to pay close attention to the integrity and track record of political candidates, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.
