The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has initiated an inquiry into bribery allegations involving Oyo kingmakers.
According to The PUNCH, this development is linked to the longstanding vacancy of the Alaafin of Oyo’s throne, which has remained unfilled since the passing of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in April last year.
The EFCC’s involvement in the matter was instigated by a petition from one of the candidates vying for the vacant Alaafin’s position.
The petitioner alleged that the kingmakers received substantial bribes, running into millions of naira, with the aim of favoring a specific candidate in the selection process. Subsequently, the anti-graft agency summoned the Oyo kingmakers for questioning.
The summoned kingmakers include Basorun of Oyo town, High Chief Yusuf Ayoola; Agbaakin of Oyo town, High Chief Asimiyu Atanda; Samu of Oyo town, High Chief Lamidi Oyewale; Lagunna of Oyo town, High Wakilu Oyedepo; and Akinniku of Oyo town.
Reportedly, only Oloye Agbaakin and Oloye Samu attended the EFCC’s invitation, and they were accompanied by their legal representatives.
The kingmakers were required to provide statements in defense against the bribery allegations outlined in the petition. The specific details of their defenses have not been disclosed at this time.
High Chief Lamidi Oyewale confirmed the EFCC’s invitation, but he declined to provide further comments, stating, “Yes, we were invited. We have gone and come back.”
Efforts to contact Basorun, Lagunna, and Akinniku via their mobile numbers were unsuccessful, as they could not be reached. Additionally, attempts to reach the Ibadan Zonal Public Relations Officer of the EFCC were not fruitful.
