••• Why Osopadec money was transferred to my Father’s Account – Bayo-Ilawole
The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has described the transfer of public funds into private bank accounts as a breach of public service regulations, following the appearance of top officials of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) over allegations involving N463 million.
The OSOPADEC Chairman, Mr. Biyi Poroye; the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Abike Bayo-Ilawole; and the Director of Project Planning and Development, Engr. Olubunmi Filani, on Wednesday appeared before the Bureau in Akure to respond to allegations that about N463 million was diverted into personal accounts.
Although Poroye declined comment after the investigative session, the Secretary and the Director offered explanations regarding the transactions under scrutiny.
Reacting to the development, the Deputy Chief Superintendent of the CCB in Ondo State, Mrs.Aliu Akingbemila, stated that the movement of commission funds into private accounts constituted a breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers.
“It is a case involving the flow of about N463 million into personal accounts, which constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct. You do not transfer commission funds into private accounts,” she said.
She noted that while the officials had provided explanations, the matter remained under investigation.
“They have given their explanations, but this is a follow-up investigation. We have asked them to provide supporting documents, including bank statements and other relevant records. They are expected to return on Monday by noon,” she added.
One of the key issues raised in the petition before the Bureau was the alleged transfer of part of the funds into the personal account of Mrs. Bayo-Ilawole’s father.
Addressing the allegation, the OSOPADEC Secretary denied any misappropriation and explained that the individual mentioned was engaged by the Commission as a contractor for a long-term project.
“The said project was a long-term contract. The person ( my father) mentioned was a contractor at the time, and the amount paid was nowhere near what had been alleged. All records are available and will clarify the issues,” she said.
Bayo-Ilawole insisted that no funds were missing, maintaining that all disbursements were tied to duly approved projects executed across the Commission’s mandate areas.
“I was invited over allegations of misappropriation of funds amounting to about N463 million. I made it clear that nothing of such happened. The record will speak for itself,” she stated.
According to her, the funds under scrutiny were released over time for multiple projects, including school renovations, transformer installations, and office refurbishments, particularly in riverine communities.
She further explained that some officers named in the petition acted in supervisory capacities and may have received funds as project allowances or operational expenses related to fieldwork.
“It could be allowances for officers or funds needed for project execution. These projects are not executed at once; they span periods of time. Within a year, we handled school renovations, transformer installation, and office upgrades in difficult riverine terrains. Movement of personnel and logistics require structured disbursements,” she added.
Bayo-Ilawole emphasized that the Commission followed due process in project approvals and implementation, operating through its Procurement Committee and management structure.
“We have a Procurement Committee comprising management staff. Projects go through due process. After approval by the governor, we approach the Office of the Due Process (ODPP) for ‘No Objection’ before implementation. As projects are completed, we request certificates of completion.
“Some of the projects under review have been completed, while others are ongoing. Some funds are still in the account pending completion stages. No money is missing, and the projects were executed for the purposes they were meant for,” she said.
In his remarks, Adeshina-Oladapo confirmed that funds were paid into his personal account under a direct labour arrangement to facilitate the execution of 21 school renovation projects in Ilaje Local Government Area.
He explained that the payments were made in tranches ranging from N2 million to N6 million to enable procurement of materials and payment of labourers in difficult-to-access communities.
“The transactions were done under direct labour arrangement. Since we controlled the spending directly, some funds were sent to my account strictly for project execution. The money did not come in bulk but in bits for specific purposes,” he said.
According to him, the practice was not new within the Commission, especially for direct labour projects in riverine areas where conventional contractor processes may delay urgent interventions.
The Bureau is expected to continue its investigation upon submission of additional documents by the officials.
