The Oyo State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have exchanged words over a Federal High Court judgment concerning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) request for records of contracts awarded by the Governor Seyi Makinde administration.
The state government, in a statement, insisted that its decision to seek judicial clarification on the EFCC’s request was not an attempt to evade investigation but to ensure that the anti-graft agency acted within the bounds of the law.
According to the government, the EFCC had requested copies of all contracts and details of transactions with contractors between 2021 and 2025. It said the request was considered too broad, prompting the state to ask the Commission to identify the specific contractors or companies under investigation.
The government stated that when the EFCC did not provide the requested clarification, it approached the Federal High Court for interpretation of the Commission’s powers.
It explained that Justice Nkeonye Maha upheld the EFCC’s constitutional powers to investigate financial crimes but ruled that the Commission’s demand was speculative and amounted to a “fishing expedition.”
The court consequently set aside the EFCC’s letter dated June 2, 2025, declaring that requests for information must be tied to specific allegations and investigations as provided under Section 38 of the EFCC Act.
The government maintained that Governor Makinde had nothing to hide, stressing that his administration had prudently managed state resources through infrastructure development, improved healthcare, education, regular payment of salaries and pensions, and other developmental projects.
It added that the state’s financial records would be made available whenever the EFCC made a lawful and specific request, describing the APC’s allegation that the governor was avoiding investigation as “misleading and legally unfounded.”
However, the Oyo APC criticised the governor’s move, describing it as an attempt to prevent the EFCC from carrying out its statutory responsibility.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the opposition party described the development as “appalling and shameful,” arguing that accountability remained a fundamental requirement in public administration.
The APC alleged that the governor was seeking to shield his administration from scrutiny, insisting that the EFCC should be allowed unrestricted access to investigate how public funds had been utilised.
The party further alleged that contracts relating to exercise book printing, stadium rehabilitation, road projects, Government House renovation, bus terminal construction, Alakia Airport upgrade, the sale of government properties, and deductions from workers’ salaries should be thoroughly investigated.
It maintained that Governor Makinde would eventually account for the management of Oyo State’s finances, insisting that anti-graft agencies would carry out their responsibilities at the appropriate time.
The exchange followed Wednesday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which nullified the EFCC’s blanket request for contract records while affirming the Commission’s powers to investigate financial crimes through lawful and specific requests.
