Oyo APC, Govt Clash Over EFCC

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress and the state government have engaged in a fresh dispute over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s request for contracts and financial transaction records involving Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, following a court decision on the matter.

The controversy began after the EFCC requested copies of contracts awarded by the Oyo State Government and details of payments and transactions made to contractors from 2021 to the period covered by its request.

The Oyo State Government challenged the request in court, arguing that the anti graft agency’s demand was too broad because it did not identify specific contractors, companies, transactions or alleged financial offences being investigated.

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan ruled that the EFCC’s request was speculative and amounted to a fishing expedition, setting aside the commission’s letter and holding that investigative powers must be exercised within legal boundaries.

Reacting to the judgment, the Oyo APC accused Governor Makinde’s administration of attempting to prevent scrutiny of the state’s financial records and questioned why the government would challenge an investigation into public funds.

The opposition party said the governor should allow the EFCC to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, insisting that public office holders must be accountable for how government resources are managed.

However, the Oyo State Government dismissed the APC’s claims, saying its legal action was not aimed at blocking investigation but at seeking clarification on whether the EFCC could demand years of financial records without linking the request to specific allegations.

The government maintained that it had nothing to hide and would provide relevant records whenever the EFCC makes a lawful and specific request supported by clear allegations.

Governor Makinde said the court case was about protecting due process and ensuring that institutions operate within the limits of the law, stressing that accountability should be based on evidence rather than broad searches for possible wrongdoing.

The dispute has added another layer to the political tension between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party administration in Oyo State and the opposition APC, with both sides presenting different interpretations of the EFCC request and the court ruling.

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