OSSCOED Financial Saga: Osun Assembly Summons Auditor General For Contempt

 

Kazeem Badmus

THE State of Osun House of Assembly has summoned the state Auditor General, Mr Folorunso Adesina for alleged contempt on the ongoing investigation of reported financial irregularities in the financial statement of Osun State College of Education, Ila. 

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the summon came after Adesina issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Bursar of the College, Dr Olarewaju Oyedeji, asking him to refund the missing funds into the College’s coffers or face the full weight of the law.

Adesina in a letter dated March 14, 2022 and addressed to the institution’s Provost, indicted Oyedeji, saying he allegedly committed financial misconduct and infractions which have resulted in huge loss of funds to the State government as revealed by the audit reports. 

According to Adesina, the alleged missing funds were to the tune of over N412m which were proceeds of financial misconduct and infractions.

He advised the Bursar to produce some concealed documents before the last date of the ultimatum, even as he accused him of disposing some documents that would have revealed more missing funds.

The letter reads in part: “It is my strong opinion that Mr. Rasheed Olarewaju Oyedeji, the Bursar of Osun State College of Education has committed financial misconduct and infractions which have resulted in huge loss of funds to the State government.

“The audit is of the opinion that release of documents as required will expose more losses and irregularities.

“In line with Financial Regulation 3702, the Bursar has the opportunity of twenty one (21) days within which to refund all the funds and make available the demanded records, failure of which the full weight of the law will be brought down on him.”

However, the House of Assembly, which has been probing the alleged misappropriation of funds contained in the Auditor General’s report, had directed that both parties (the school and its Bursar, and the Auditor General) should stay all actions until the completion of investigation. 

The House, it was gathered, summoned the Auditor General for allegedly violating its directive by indicting the Bursar and issuing ultimatum to him when it has not completed its findings. 

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that a summon letter was given to the Auditor General on Thursday, asking him to appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts on Monday. 

When contacted, the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Abidemi Gbenga Ogunkanmi, declined comment on the matter, asking the reporter to contact Chairman, House Committee on Information, for briefing.