- Safiu Kehinde
Former Director of Finance and Supplies for Ejigbo Local Government, Osun State, Akeem Ibitoye, is reportedly on the run following petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged involvement in siphoning Health Revitalization Funds.
Ibitoye was alleged to be the conduit used in fleecing the state several billions of Naira during the administration of former Osun governor, Gboyega Oyetola.
NPO reported that the state government had in the petition filed against Oyetola accused the former governor of money laundering and misappropriation of $20 million health intervention fund under his administration.
The state government alleged that Oyetola had diverted the fund in awarding contracts to unqualified business entities and companies of members of his cabinet which were listed in the petition.
In the same vein, Oyetola was also accused of money laundering to the sum of N1.5 billion which the state government alleged to be funneled through the Osun chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria between January and October 2022.
Meanwhile, Akeem Ibitoye’s involvement in the alleged money laundering scheme was traced to his company, Ibikem Construction, under which account the funds were withdrawn from as seen in the statement of account attached to the petition made available to NPO Reports.
According to the petition, a sum total of N1.3 billion was withdrawn through Ibitoye’s accounting between January to October 2022.
Prior to the filing if the petition, Ibitoye had tendered a letter of voluntary retirement which he proposed to take effect from the 1st of January, 2025, to the Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Service Commission.
As contained in the letter dated, August 2024, he disclosed to have joined the service as a Clerical Assistant on the 1st of February, 1990 and was appointed as the Ejigbo LGA’s Deputy Director of Finance and Supplies on the 1st of January, 2020.