A fresh political dispute has erupted in Oyo State over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) attempt to obtain financial records of the state government, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) accusing Governor Seyi Makinde of trying to evade accountability, while the state government insists it has nothing to hide and only sought judicial clarification on the anti-graft agency’s powers.
The disagreement followed Wednesday’s ruling by a Federal High Court in Ibadan, which restrained the EFCC from acting on its request for copies of contracts awarded and details of financial transactions involving the Oyo State Government between 2021 and 2025, describing the commission’s request as speculative.
Reacting to the ruling, the Oyo APC, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, alleged that Governor Makinde was making desperate efforts to prevent the EFCC from examining the financial records of his administration.
The opposition party described the alleged attempt to shield the state’s financial transactions from investigation as “appalling” and “shameful,” insisting that public office holders must remain accountable for the management of public resources.
The APC argued that accountability is a fundamental principle of democratic governance and accused the governor of attempting to obstruct the EFCC from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
According to the statement, “Apparently, Governor Makinde thought the mandate to govern conferred on him the right to turn the entire state into his personal estate, as he did not realise there would be a need for accountability along the line.
“He embarked on the path of an autocrat who believes he should never be questioned over his actions and inactions in office. The latest episode in his battle against anti-graft agencies leaves much to be desired, especially for a state which prides itself as the Pacesetter.”
The party also questioned why the governor would seek to prevent scrutiny of his administration’s financial records if there was nothing to conceal.
“The question on the lips of many patriots now is: Why would a governor be afraid to render an account of resources entrusted to him for the benefit of the citizenry? What size of skeleton does Governor Makinde have in the cupboard that he is keeping away from us?
“The truth is that he can only run, but he cannot hide. EFCC and other anti-graft agencies will do their work at the appropriate time, and eventually everything will be brought into the open,” the statement added.
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The APC further alleged that several major projects executed under the Makinde administration, as well as other financial transactions, would eventually come under investigation.
The projects listed by the party included the exercise book printing contract, rehabilitation of the Lekan Salami Stadium, the Circular Road project, renovation of the Agodi Government House, construction of bus terminals, upgrade of Alakia Airport, the alleged sale of government property, and alleged unremitted deductions from workers’ salaries.
Sadare said, “The sleaze surrounding the award of contracts, including the exercise book printing project, stadium rehabilitation, Circular Road project, Agodi Government House renovation, bus terminal construction, Alakia Airport upgrade, sale of government properties, among others, as well as unremitted deductions from workers’ salaries, will be thoroughly investigated and no culprit will be spared.
“Very soon, Governor Makinde will be made to account for every kobo of Oyo State’s money received by his administration over the last seven years.”
The APC maintained that no public official should be above scrutiny, insisting that anti-corruption agencies must be allowed to perform their constitutional duties without interference.
Responding, the Oyo State Government dismissed the allegations, insisting that its decision to approach the Federal High Court was not an attempt to stop any investigation but to seek judicial interpretation of the EFCC’s powers regarding what it described as a sweeping request for official records.
In a statement signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the government maintained that Governor Makinde’s administration had managed the state’s resources prudently and transparently and had nothing to conceal.
According to the statement, the EFCC had written to the state’s Accountant-General requesting copies of all contracts and details of transactions with contractors from 2021 up to the date of its letter.
The government explained that because the request covered all contracts without identifying any contractor or project under investigation, it asked the commission to specify the contractors or companies being investigated to enable the appropriate documents to be provided.
It stated that after the EFCC failed to respond to that request, the state approached the court to determine whether such a blanket demand was lawful.
The government noted that while the court affirmed the EFCC’s statutory authority to investigate financial crimes, it ruled that the commission’s request amounted to a speculative exercise and a fishing expedition.
According to the statement, Justice Nkeonye Maha set aside the EFCC’s letter dated June 2, 2025, and held that any request by the commission must be reasonable and linked to specific allegations.
The government added that the judge held that Section 38 of the EFCC Act empowers the commission to demand information only for the investigation of offences under the Act and not for speculative or roving enquiries.
Defending the administration’s decision to seek judicial intervention, Olanrewaju said:
“Seeking judicial interpretation of the EFCC’s powers is neither cowardice nor an act of fear.
“Governor Makinde and the Oyo State Government are not afraid of the EFCC or any other federal agency. The state’s account books will be made available whenever a proper and lawful request is made.”
He also dismissed the APC’s allegation that the governor was avoiding investigation.
“The APC’s claim that Governor Makinde’s decision to seek judicial intervention amounts to avoiding investigation is both misleading and legally unfounded. Resorting to the courts is not an admission of guilt but a constitutional right guaranteed under Nigerian law.
“The judiciary exists to interpret the scope of institutional powers and protect against overreach,” he said.
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