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…dismisses APC’s criticism, insists governor managed state’s resources prudently
The Oyo State Government has defended its decision to seek judicial interpretation over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) request for documents relating to the state’s finances, insisting that Governor Seyi Makinde has nothing to hide.
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…dismisses APC’s criticism, insists governor managed state’s resources prudently
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The government also dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s criticism of the court action, describing it as misleading and legally unfounded.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s special adviser on media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the government said approaching the Federal High Court was not an attempt to shield the state from investigation but a constitutional step taken to clarify the scope of the anti-graft agency’s powers.
According to the statement, the Makinde-led administration has managed the state’s resources prudently, a development it said was evident in the delivery of infrastructure, healthcare, education, regular payment of salaries and pensions, employment of workers and other development projects.
“The decision of the Oyo State Government to approach the Federal High Court for clarification on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s demand for copies of all contracts and details of transactions with contractors between 2021 and 2025 is not an attempt to forestall investigation because neither the state government nor Governor Seyi Makinde has anything to hide,” the statement read.
“Governor Makinde’s administration has managed state finances with prudence,” the statement added, noting that the government had constructed roads, rehabilitated primary healthcare centres, expanded access to quality education, employed more civil servants, paid salaries and pensions regularly, empowered citizens and created a business-friendly environment.
The government explained that the EFCC had written to the state’s Accountant-General requesting copies of all contracts and details of transactions with contractors from 2021 to the date of its letter.
It said the state responded by asking the Commission to identify the specific contractors or companies under investigation to enable it provide the relevant documents but alleged that the EFCC failed to respond.
According to the statement, the state subsequently approached the Federal High Court to determine whether the anti-graft agency could lawfully make such a broad request.
The government noted that Justice Nkeonye Maha, who heard the matter, acknowledged the EFCC’s statutory powers to investigate financial crimes but held that the Commission’s request was speculative and amounted to what it described as a fishing expedition.
It added that the court set aside the EFCC’s letter dated June 2, 2025, and ruled that any request for information by the Commission must be reasonable and linked to specific allegations.
“The judge emphasized that Section 38 of the EFCC Act empowers the Commission to demand information only for the investigation of offences under the Act, not for speculative or roving inquiries,” the statement said.
The government maintained that seeking judicial interpretation of the law should not be misconstrued as an attempt to evade investigation.
“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,” Olanrewaju said.
Reacting to the APC’s criticism, the government said resorting to the courts was a constitutional right and not an admission of wrongdoing.
“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,” the statement added.
