Gov. Seyi Makinde on Tuesday in Ibadan inaugurated the Oyo Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) to curb corruption and fraudulent activities in the state public service.
Recall that Makinde, upon assumption of office in 2019, pledged that the state, under his watch, would establish its own anti-corruption agency to ensure probity, accountability and good governance.
The governor signed the state’s Anti-Corruption Bill into law on Dec. 12, 2019, after its passage by the state House of Assembly.
During the inauguration of OYACA, Makinde said that the anti-corruption law was primarily directed at sanitising the public civil service.
According to him, the law will ensure that public and civil servants at the state and local government levels carry out their responsibilities without institutionalised corruption.
He said that institutionalised corruption could kill a nation, if not checked, adding that the newly inaugurated OYACA would also safeguard the resources of the state.
“The inauguration is sending out a clear message that the state has zero tolerance for corruption.
“So any person elected, employed or engaged in any capacity in Oyo State public or civil service, who accepts or promises to accept money, gifts or any other rewards for rendering service to the public, will be investigated and be made to face the full wrath of law.
“It will no longer be business as usual; public and civil servants are called to serve, not to steal,” he said.
The governor urged the OYACA team, which he noted, was composed of men and women of integrity, to ensure that all matters brought before them were judiciously handled.
He said that the establishment of OYACA was not meant to witch-hunt anyone, noting that corruption and underdevelopment had no political leanings.
He said that the anti-corruption agency was beyond politics or political interests.
Makinde reiterated his readiness to waive his immunity and face any corrupt charge, if he committed any infraction of the law.
Justice Eni Esan, a retired justice of the state Customary Court of Appeal, is the chairman of OYACA, while Oyemola Tijani is the Secretary.
Other members are Oyebade Oyedepo, Temitayo Ayorinde, Esther Olapade, A.S Asaolu (DSS) and Lawrence Ehindero (Police).
Esan, who fielded questions from journalists after the inauguration, pledged that OYACA would adopt quality strategies to curb corruption in the state.
