How Alao-Akala looted over N1bn in 11 months – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has alleged that Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala used two book publishing companies and another firm to plunder over N1bn belonging to the state between January and December 2006.
It also accused him of abusing his office during the 11 months he first spent as governor of the state.

Alao-Akala, a former deputy governor of the state, took over from Alhaji Rahidi Ladoja, who was removed as governor in a controversial circumstance by the State House of Assembly. But in April 2007, he contested and won the governorship election in the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The EFCC said in an interim report of an investigation into a petition by one Mr. Kunle Jimoh and Mr. Julius Dada that Alao-Akala routinely inflated contracts with a view to enriching himself during the 11 month period.

In the report, which was exclusively obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday, the commission said that the governor “conspired” with an Ibadan-based book publishing firm and another company to perpetrate fraud amounting to more than a billion naira.

The anti-graft agency said it found out that N631m contract Alao-Akala awarded to the publishing firm for the supply of textbooks to the state government was inflated to the tune of N488m.

Another contract for the supply of textbooks awarded to the same company for N631m was also reportedly inflated by N395m.

The EFCC also said that it suspected that another contract awarded to another book publishing firm, whose headquarters is said to be in Ibadan, for N39.7m, was inflated.

The commission added that one of the publishing firms refunded N10m of the money it was overpaid while the other returned N12m.

In the report, the anti-graft body also accused the governor of paying out N190m to 19 members of the then state House of Assembly for constituency projects.

It said that cheques for the projects should not have been written in the names of the lawmakers.

The commission also queried the contract for the computerisation of personnel payroll and identity cards production for the state which Alao-Akala awarded at a cost of N182. 7m.

It said that N143.9m out of the total contract sum had already been paid.

The report added that a comprehensive probe of “another company used by the Akala government to inflate contracts” was in progress.

It said, “From the foregoing, it is clear that Otunba Alao-Akala abused his office to enrich himself contrary to his oath of office.

“He has acted contrary to the provisions of the constitution and betrayed public trust. In light of the above, therefore, it is pertinent that he has a case to answer.”

The governor cannot, however, be tried in court until the expiration of his tenure because he is covered by constitutional immunity.

When contacted on telephone on Sunday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Public Communications, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, said Alao-Akala could only make a meaningful comment on the report when a copy reached him.

Oyelade said, “We seek to see the report because there are so many fake documents flying in an out of the newsroom these days.

“It is only when we see a copy of the said report that we can make any meaningful comment.

“We seek the veracity of the so-called indicting document. We affirm that it is another hoax strung up to exhume a dead issue.”

In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said that the commission would not leave any case untouched in its efforts at bringing corrupt public officials to book.

Babafemi said that the present leadership of the commission was interested in all high-profile cases.

This, he explained, was why the commission would want to deal with such cases now so that it could treat others it had received intelligence reports on.

He said, “Ibadan is part of the Lagos/South West zone. There is a committee working on the backlog of cases now and no stone would be left unturned.

“About 70 per cent of the cases are in Lagos and the Alao-Akala case, of which I do not know its current status, may be part of the Lagos cases.

“If it is among the cases, she (the EFCC chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri) will likely be briefed about it this week because the Lagos/South West zone is the next region for her to deal with.

“The Director of Operations (of EFCC) is already in Lagos preparatory to her arrival in Lagos this week.

“Since she resumed, she has been dealing with the backlog on regional basis and there are six zones in the country that she will have to deal with.”

Ladoja had, after his reinstatement, set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry in March 2007 to probe the Alao-Akala administration.

The panel said Alao-Akala failed to protect public funds as expected from him during the 11 months he served as governor.

The Ladoja dministration in a White Paper published as Oyo State Notice No. 7 in Gazette No. 05 of March 22, 2007 accepted the recommendation of the panel indicting Alao-Akala.

But less than two months after he assumed office on May 19, 2007, Alao-Akala got the state House of Assembly to quash the indictment.

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/jul/14/417.html

Akala Alao ole oshi
right from the word go i always saw that guy as a crook.He always has something he does that is not right.
1 billion in 11 months

FYI: Alao Akala was also on Ribadu's list of clean politicians that were given approval to contest for the 2007 election.

When you have a single governor (planted by OBJ and Ribadu) that cleaned up N1bn in 11 months , how do you expect Yar'Adua's admin to focus on moving this country forward effectively and efficiently?

You like it or you hate it, it remains totally clear that OBJ and Ribadu still represent the greatest obstacles that is severely preventing the smooth progress of this administration.

It is so frustrating to keep reading how much these rogues steal everyday, every month, every year and nothing is done to them.

i think d issue shd be dat serious debate shd be started on the pros and cons of removin immunity on serving public officials because a lot of rubbish is being perpetuated by these crroks and dey hide under the constitutionally backed immunity to forestall there arraignment/prosecution.

if under 11 months he has plundered 1 billion guess wat he cld achieve in 4 years,

May God forgive me if this is wrong:

Again, the only solution is to revise our constitution to allow convicted corrupt officials (from the bottom to the top) to be executed at their various home-towns.

By the time we drop 2 or 3 officials, by the grace of God a new Nigeria will be immediately born.
Anything else in Nigeria to solve corruption problem will be a waste of time, waste of money and the mighty continuation of looting of gov fund.

@davidylan: This is another example of longterm solution, and something tells me that it will be acknowledged very very soon.
Watch!

that ur suggestion is too extreme to be implemented, the alternative is making there position to be bereft of immunity thereby keeping them in check at all times, not only that but properly constituting and equipping an anti-corruption task force outside the umbrella of the police force to investigate/arrest/prosecute such people ,

welcome welcome to Nigeria land of more crooks than honest people. I now wish i was politican?

that your suggestion is too extreme to be implemented,

I respect your point, but corruption represents the main (90%) problem in Nigeria. Even though it recently became noticeable, but this corruption epidemic has been around for over 40 years and it seems to me that it is willing to stay alive for another 50 years.
Therefore we must understand that extreme measures need to be taken for extreme results.

Nigerians are too smart and will absolutely discover a work around if any other solution is implemented.
There is one thing that remains certain with Nigerians; they hate to die, therefore home-town execution will immediately rectify the problem. And a new Nigeria will arise!

This is the only greatest gift any president could give Nigeria as a nation.

Something tells me that this suggestion will be implemented very very soon.

Big B1:

How Alao-Akala looted over N1bn in 11 months – EFCC



Ladoja had, after his reinstatement, set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry in March 2007 to probe the Alao-Akala administration.

The panel said Alao-Akala failed to protect public funds as expected from him during the 11 months he served as governor.

The Ladoja dministration in a White Paper published as Oyo State Notice No. 7 in Gazette No. 05 of March 22, 2007 accepted the recommendation of the panel indicting Alao-Akala.

But less than two months after he assumed office on May 19, 2007, Alao-Akala got the state House of Assembly to quash the indictment.

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/jul/14/417.html

It's this kind of misleading information that you are so quick to published to discredit RIBADU that makes me called you the greatest fool of all times in Nigeria.

No one is saying Alao Akala is clean, but look at your source for Christ sake? ODILI REPORT? lol

Please provide a link to a news paper where RIBADU came out and gave Alao Akala a clean bill to contest the election? Does RIbadu has the power to stop any Nigerians from contesting the election or the Tribunal does?

Another question for you Bush man BIGB1. Does Alao Akala has the constitutional right to prevent the state House of Assembly from doing their elective services? if so, why didnt all the annulled elected governors that were impeached used the same power ?

Big B1,

I noticed that you are always in haste to either start a thread that condemns Ribadu or make up/pick up stories that suits your father IBB. If Ribadu is so bad, what rating would you give your IBB? It is without any iota of doubt that IBB looted Nigeria to its bone, insitutionalised corruption, annulled the most democratic election in Nigeria history and yet you have never condemned IBB and his cohorts. But you are are always quick to remind us about all that Ribadu or OBJ did wrong. Your must be the most fool I have ever seen.

Your writings has proved to all that you lacked integrity and conscience. Ribadu in his failings, is 100 millions times better than your IBB and whatsoever you and him represents. Your campaign and ambition that perhaps IBB will rule this country again is dead in the water. He may continue to be a God father to some of the thieving politicians, but to hell with IBB and whatsoever all his supporters.

God Bless Nigeria
God Bless RIBADU
God punish IBB

Ribadu berates Adedibu, other Nigerian leadersSubmitted on 02/02/2007
From Iyabo Lawal and Tunji Omofoye, Ibadan

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday came hard on controversial politician, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and the embattled Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala as the commission's Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, expressed his readiness to scuttle the governorship ambition of Alao-Akala.

Besides, Ribadu who was the guest lecturer at the colloquium organised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan (UI) chapter, also declared that the commission will stop all corrupt governors as well as those seeking elective positions from returning to office in April.

He spoke amid indications that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) was also probing two North-East governors for monumental corruption among others.

The EFCC boss who deplored the activities of Adedibu and Alao-Akala wondered why such people should continue to be at the helm of affairs.

Ribadu in his lecture titled: "The EFCC and the Challenges of Democratic Reforms in Nigeria," said the country was corrupt at all levels and it will take the collective efforts of all to stem the tide.

The EFCC chief pondered on the secret behind the politics of domination and intimidation of the strongman of Ibadan politics and maintained that he will never do anything to help either Adedibu or Alao-Akala, adding "whatever we do is to the best of our ability and with the fear of God."

Ribadu whose lecture was interrupted with thunderous ovation by the ecstatic crowd comprising members of the university community and the students, declared that Oyo State is a totally compromised state and "I would never do anything to help Adedibu or Alao-Akala but we will do the work at the appropriate".

He pointed out that his anti-corruption commission would not be a part of the Nigerian system that will continue to mystify the two politicians. He said, "frankly, you do not need to be smart social scientists to make the nexus between corruption and how it threatens the rule of law, the democratic principle, human rights, fairness and social justice as well as good governance. Is Ibadan not a perfect case study anyway? Ibadan of the 60s was a pride of Africa but the only thing people talk about now in the city as well as in Nigeria and over the world is Adedibu and Alao-Akala.

How can such people be the one leading us, why can't we be angry for once and rise up against these people? In Primary school it was a basic rhyme that Ibadan was always put in the relationship of Cairo and Johannesburg to illustrate its place in Africa, but today, what do we see, Tokunbo irons and fridges have taken over the major streets of the ancient city, I did not see one good road network, so I ask why, why would such people continue to lead us?

It is really unfortunate.

"There are states that we have gone extremely far and there are states that we are yet to get to. In Oyo State, I see politics being played. If you go in, you can easily be misunderstood. We find that it is totally a politically compromised environment. But what I know is that I would never do anything to help Adedibu or Alao-Akala. I would never, at the appropriate time; we will do what is expected."

But Alao-Akala media consultant, Dotun Oyelade, in a reaction said: "Chief Alao Akala is not afraid of any probe. Public scrutiny of public officers is one of the bastions of this democracy.

We are confident that Alao-Akala will be exonerated. No cause for alarm. It is the agency's duty to respond to all forms of allegations and find out the truth. The truth shall vindicate us."

Ribadu, who passed a grim verdict on our leaders, said Nigeria is corrupt at all levels starting from the public service to the Local Council, state and federal levels, saying unless something is urgently done; it may force "some people" to come and take over

the government. He specifically took a swipe at two former Military Head of States, Generals Ibrahim Babangida and the late Sani Abacha, describing them as the most corrupt leaders Nigeria has ever had.

According to the EFCC boss, the Babangida regime destroyed totally everything in the polity while Abacha later came on board to wreak greater havoc, which led the nation to its present state.

"Abacha took over $6 billion from the nation's coffers, killed and murdered innocent people to simply be in power and that is where we are today. He destroyed the Judiciary, brought university teachers into government and destroyed them so much so that Nigeria became one of the worse countries and no country wanted to have anything to do with us. The military brought us to where we are today as a nation, they have great disrespect for the rule of law, even the simple task of maintaining law and order in the troubled Niger Delta they have failed to do so. Nobody has been able to deal with them but one day will come and we will do justice.

"We have politicians who were nothing before they came to office but now controls multi-million dollars property all around the world, one cannot ask them because if you do people will begin to say that you are threatening democracy but they forgot that God is watching, where is Abacha today? We do not have any reason to be where we are, we are one of the best countries in the world with adequate resources but because of the corruption and selfishness on the part of our leaders, we are where we are today,"Ribadu said.

He added that the commission had carefully followed the party's primaries and the various fund raising arrangements being put in place and "we truly feel appalled to state that the Nigerian political class has learnt nothing of the problems that brought the ship of our state to its current sorry state". The EFCC boss however stressed that the commission will ensure that only the most ethical persons show up for political choice in the coming dispensation adding," where are the front runners for the presidential elections?

He, however, admitted that he had not been having it rosy fighting corruption in the polity, stressing that the cost for standing up against the powerful and that all-mighty could be so huge and that he could be contacted for testimonies.

According to him, "when we moved our searchlights from the 419ners and the thieving bank barons, to the corridors of the political elite, hell was let loose.

There are cries and screams of 'selective justice' and 'Gestapo tactics' and all sorts of diversionary propaganda. Unable to deal with the message, the Nigerian political elite has smartly reverted to that discredited tactics of hacking down the messenger". All the threats notwithstanding, he said that he would not be distracted in his efforts to sanitise the corrupt system. Ribadu described all the noise on selective justice as tenuous and overtly hysterical.

"Those who advanced the argument of selective justice have not helped their audience understand how selective justice amounts to an act of injustice" He, however commended President Olusegun Obasanjo on his anti-corruption crusade saying he actually did a good job and should be applauded by Nigerians.

Guardian 2/2/07

Big B1,

I noticed that you are always in haste to either start a thread that condemns Ribadu or make up/pick up stories that suits your father IBB. If Ribadu is so bad, what rating would you give your IBB? It is without any iota of doubt that IBB looted Nigeria to its bone, insitutionalised corruption, annulled the most democratic election in Nigeria history and yet you have never condemned IBB and his cohorts. But you are are always quick to remind us about all that Ribadu or OBJ did wrong. Your must be the most fool I have ever seen.

Your writings has proved to all that you lacked integrity and conscience. Ribadu in his failings, is 100 millions times better than your IBB and whatsoever you and him represents. Your campaign and ambition that perhaps IBB will rule this country again is dead in the water. He may continue to be a God father to some of the thieving politicians, but to hell with IBB and whatsoever all his supporters.

God Bless Nigeria
God Bless RIBADU
God punish IBB

I totally agree!
You're a good man indeed.

i do not know why you people find it impossible to respect each other's view. this governor has looted 1bn in just 11 months and all you could do is fight and call each other names. 1,000,000,000 in N11 months = N90,909091m per month. this is a sad news.

Dat guy is just a born-thief, pathetic0skin bleaching slowpoke!

To Akala, and his likes in Nigeria Govt. and politics, keep on stealing, one day would be the owners turn to mete out due justice

And if u think u can all escape on earth, wait till the day of judgement!!

Thieving corruption ridden bastards!!!!

Trust naija pips, they will leave d substance and chase shadows, wat has ribadu and ibb got to do with a guy looting treasury of a state?

I have known for a very long time that the guy cannot be trusted with money.

Alao-akala Looted Over N1bn In 11 Months. . . .Not a big deal at all, this was expected from day1. Aloa Akala's position as a governor of Ibadan is a stolen position. And there is a legitimate reason to rub this new allegation on Ribadu's face. The last time I checked, Aloa Akala stole this position twice under the watch of Ribadu. So, I do not know why we are making big deal out of nothing. EFCC has been tracking him for the past few months now, but did not want to reveal their investigation to the public without concluding with proper evidence.

Alleged N1bn loot: Ibadan elders, Afenifere, Ajimobi ask Alao-Akala to resign

The Oyo State governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has advised the Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, to “toe the path of honour” by resigning from office.

He gave the advice in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday in his reaction to the allegation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that the governor allegedly mishandled N1bn in 2006.

The Secretary-General of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, gave a similar advice in a separate telephone interview with our correspondent on the same issue.

Also, the Chairman of the Ibadan Elders Forum, Ambassador Olu Saanu, said that the revelation was a confirmation that the country’s politicians were treasury looters.

The allegation by the EFCC was contained in its interim report on the financial activities of Alao-Akala when he acted as the governor in 2006 as exclusively reported by The Punch on Monday.

The report reads, “It is clear that Alao-Akala abused his office to enrich himself contrary to his oath of office. He has acted contrary to the provisions of the constitution and betrayed public trust.

“It is pertinent that he has a case to answer.”

The governor was alleged to have inflated contracts for supply of textbooks to the tune of about N1bn.

Ajimobi said that he had been vindicated over his position that the top echelon of the state government was made up of people with “bad records.”

The ANPP governorship candidate said that the latest revelation had pointed to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party foisted rogues on the country.

He said that the mind-bogging disclosures from the different probe panels and anti-graft agencies on the financial recklessness of past and serving governors had necessitated the removal of the immunity clause from the constitution.

Meanwhile, Alao-Akala has described the allegation absolute false.

Alao-Akala, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Abraham Ojo, on Monday, however said he had instructed his lawyers to file necessary legal actions against the affected media outfit.

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/jul/15/416.html

Path of honour where. This is Nigeria dudes.

i knew the stupid guy will definitely rob oyo state, ever since he has been the deputy Gov. Don't you see his face and appearance, i don't even know the value of their screening exercise,he is stupid bleeching idiot,a rogue,former area boy tunrned area father, where do you expect him to get money to bleach,and to do all others rubish , the stupid guy suppose not be made a governor ,thief,slowpoke

But wait a minute it is high time we put a stop to all this: authority stealing: it is even pass armed Robber so says FELA a.k.a Baba 70
please remove that idiot clause;IMMUNITY.

Akala donates cars to Olubadan

GOVERNOR Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State yesterday extended an olive branch to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, as he announced car gifts to four members of Olubadan-in-Council and other members of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Four chiefs of the Olubadan whose titles were inscribed on the cars included Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, Osi Olubadan of Ibadan and Osi Balogun of Ibadan.


Though, all the four chiefs were not in attendance at the presentation of 31 brand new saloon cars worth N100m to the members of the council, two highly-rated chiefs from the Balogun Chieftaincy line were present to receive their cars.


Governor Alao-Akala said the gesture was in fulfillment of his promise of May 8, 2008, and that the Executive Council had recently given approval for the placement of the new council members on the government payroll.


He added that the state government had also approved an upward review of transport allowances promising that soon the stipends of the royal fathers would be improved.

The two high chiefs of Olubadan at the ceremony were the Otun Balogun, Chief Sulaiman Omiyale and Osi Balogun, Chief Oyeleke Jenriyin. They were announced as representatives of the Olubadan at the ceremony.


But when Vanguard called the monarch, his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Oyedotun Oloyede said Olubadan did not send any of his chiefs to represent him at the ceremony.

When asked for clarification on the claim that Olubadan had earlier been presented with his car, he said he could not comment on it until he got the nod from the monarch himself.


The two chiefs of Olubadan, after the official commissioning of the cars by the governor, went into the Parliament Building to attend the meeting of traditional rulers presided over by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.


This negated the earlier opposition of the Olubadan to the state government.

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/jul/16/315.html

After hearing about the 1bn in 11 months looting allegation, I think the cars should be immediately returned.
According to our "CULTURE", it is never appropriate to tell the "KING" of the land what to do, but returning the cars is simply the right thing to do.

akara na fool

You can imagine how much the governor has salted away since 2006 !

No wonder Oyo state is in the horrific mess in which it is in !

At least the EFCC is doing something,

MShittu:

At least the EFCC is doing something,

Our hypocritical President and his equally partisan fans will not see Alao Akala blatant graft now that the Oyo Governor is an "untouchable" and the new "Garrison Commander" of "Amala" politics in the SW region via his pledge of allegiance to GEJ's 2011 ambition. We never left the dark days of OBJ. It was kept alive through Yar Adua and it will now take on a more dangerous direction if Jonathan win in 2011. It is a measure of the hypocritical mien of the fans of Jonathan on Nairaland when they can approve of the persecution of the State Governors who do not back Jonathan's 2011 ambition yet , convieniently , they fail to tell us why Jonathan has not included any SW PDP Governor (the most corrupt IMO) in this new EFCC onslaugth !!!! I guess t has nothing to do with how the SW Governors have plegded support for Jonathan .Not only will folks like Alao Akala "win by a landslide" , if Jonathan win , but they will all clear the tribunal appeal hurdle easily , as we have seen happen already, for another 4 years of Yafun yafun chop-chop . They will all be shamed by God's grace to include your man IBB.