Osun NULGE raises alarm over alleged plot to divert LG funds

By Omodele Adigun

The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Osun State chapter, has accused the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation of plotting to divert withheld local government allocations in Osun State into accounts belonging to court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors.

According to NULGE, in a press statement signed by its President, Dr. Nathaniel Ogungbangbe, officials of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation have been instructed to prepare mandates to release Osun State local government allocations covering over eight months into accounts that do not belong to the local governments.

The union claimed, “We have, however, received credible information that officials of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) have been instructed to prepare mandates to release Osun State local government allocations covering over eight months into accounts that do not belong to our local governments. Disturbingly, these accounts belong to chieftains of the APC who have been removed by the court as chairmen and councillors.

“We competently gathered that the Director, Federation Account, and Director, Funds (names withheld) in the OAGF’s office, under the directive of the Accountant General of the Federation worked late into Friday night and through Saturday, processing papers and figures to facilitate this illegal diversion. These desperate moves are a clear attempt to preempt the decision of the Supreme Court.”

The union claims that this move is a clear attempt to preempt the decision of the Supreme Court, which is currently adjudicating on the matter.

The union further issued a strong warning to the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and their officials to desist from obeying illegal directives, emphasising that any payment of Osun State local government funds into private or fraudulent accounts would amount to gross misappropriation.

NULGE cited the law, which states that only Directors of Administration and Directors of Finance are authorized signatories to local government accounts. The union also pointed out that the persons occupying these positions must be authenticated in writing by the Auditor General for the Local Governments of the State to ensure compliance with the law.

It added, “Significantly, the AGF, who also served as counsel to the APC governorship candidate in the last Osun election, appears to be placing the rule of power and politics above the rule of law. This is unfortunate and unacceptable. The case before the Supreme Court should be allowed to run its course without anyone foisting a fait accompli on the system.”

The union has called on well-meaning Nigerians, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organizations, and the international community to join their call for the rule of law in Osun State.