The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) on Thursday declared that as an agency saddled with the responsibility of pushing the state government’s zero tolerance for corruption mandate, it has been able to make some fund recovery from a contractor who failed to perform the government contract awarded to him.
The chairman of the agency, Justice Eni Esan (Rtd), made this known at the agency’s office in Ibadan during a media chat held before the the Anti-Corruption Day road walk embarked upon by the agency to sensitise the public on the ill effects of corruption and their role in fighting the menace.
Justice Esan revealed that the agency has been receiving petitions from government departments, agencies and individuals, adding that “to date, the agency has received 41 petitions; three of which were referred to other agencies for necessary action, six were found to be frivolous while three are non petition/ intelligence led cases which the agency took up on its own initiative.
“Two prima facie cases that were established have been referred to the Honourable Attorney General for prosecution while two others are being packaged for referral to the Attorney General.
“So far, 12 petitions which did not require prosecution have been concluded and appropriate recommendations made and legal advice duly rendered; the remaining petitions are under various stages of investigation,” she said.
The OYACA chairman reiterated that anyone that gives information to the agency will be protected, asking the public not to entertain any fear in giving information to the agency when they have facts about acts of corruption as everyone has a role to play if the society will win the fight against corruption.
Justice Esan while speaking about the Anti-Corruption road walk stated that it is the agency’s mode of joining the world to mark the global day and renew it’s commitment of working together with the good people of Oyo State and the world to end corruption and its devastating impact on peoples’ lives.
“it is no longer news that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has zero tolerance for corruption. As we all know, corruption is a recurring problem hindering the economic development of Nigeria and this affects all areas of the society negatively. Eradication of corruption will help the development of our state in particular and our country in general,” she added.
Justice Esan however sounded a note of warning to people that deliberately fabricates false information for mischief and to cause trouble to others, emphasising that such people should know they are liable before the law.