Osun Assembly To Begin Probe Of Aregbesola Over 34.5bn Naira Bailout Fund

The Osun State House of Assembly has directed some officials of the state government and organisations to appear before it on Wednesday for questioning on how the 34.5 billion Naira bailout fund given to state by the Federal Government was used.

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola

The planned probe followed the decision of the Senate to commence similar probe.

There have been allegations of misappropriation against the Governor of the south-west Nigerian State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.

Those invited to appear before the Osun State House of Assembly are the Accountant-General, Permanent Secretaries Ministry of Finance, Office of Budget Planning and Ministry of Local Government.

Others are the Director-General of Debt Management Office and officials of Wema Bank, Zenith Bank and First Bank.

Also invite to be part of the proceeding are Chairmen, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE), Market Women, as well as representative of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and Civil Society Organisations (CSO).

A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, urged the invitees to arm themselves with all the necessary information and document on the bailout fund given to the state.

Mr Oyintiloye explained that the exercise had become very necessary in line with its constitutional powers, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

He said those invited were expected to appear before the House with useful documents and necessary information concerning the bailout fund given to the state government.

The federal Government had given bailout funds to states to enable them meet some financial obligations, especially payment of workers salaries.