Osun Commissioner Alimi Refutes EFCC Bail Allegation,Says Claim is Baseless

Osun Commissioner Alimi Refutes EFCC Bail Allegation, Says Claim Is Baseless

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, has dismissed reports alleging that he was once granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged diversion of local government funds during the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Alimi, in a statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, described the report as “baseless, mischievous and politically motivated falsehood” being circulated by a group under the aegis of the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ).

The group had alleged that Alimi, who served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between 2011 and 2014, was involved in the diversion of local government allocations amounting to over ₦600 billion.

Reacting, the Commissioner said the claim was nothing but “a lie of the highest order”, stressing that he had never been placed under any administrative bail by the EFCC or any anti-graft agency.

“While I see and regard this as another pathologically laden mischief and blackmail which will not in any way be a matter of concern to me, it will, however, be out of place for me to keep quiet by not offering a cogent denial so as to insulate myself from members of the public,” Alimi said.

He added that the allegation was “spurious, unserious and laughable”, and that the purported statement signed by CHRSJ’s Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Abiola Ganiyu, was a deliberate attempt to tarnish his image.

“I make bold to say that at no time was I ever under any administrative bail by any anti-graft agency while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, or even now, as falsely and shamelessly alleged,” he stated.

The Commissioner further accused those behind the report of attempting to malign his reputation for political reasons, adding that he remained open to any form of investigation on the matter.

“The blackmailers behind the allegation are only doing so out of their desperate need to malign and impugn on my good reputation. I am ready for any investigation, anytime, any day regarding this baseless and unfounded allegation,” Alimi declared.

The statement, which was released through the state government’s official platform (osungov.ng.com), emphasized that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke would continue to uphold transparency and accountability in public service.