The Oyo State House of Assembly passed a Law called the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency Law, 2019 (the “Law”). The Law was later assented to on 10th December, 2019, by His Excellency, Governor Oluseyi Makinde. The purpose of the law is to establish the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (the “Agency”), to check corruption in the state and other related matters. In this context, corruption means unlawful gratification given or promised to any person in the performance of his duties.

The Law specifically frowns at monies, fees, donations, loans, gifts, reward, office, dignity, valuable security, property or interest in property (being property of any description, whether movable or immovable), given or promised to be given as consideration for the performance of a public administrative duty.

The Agency was established by the virtue of the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency Law, 2019. The activities of OYACA would plug revenue leaks in the government purse and stop the act of mismanagement of office by public office holders and government workers

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Oyo Assembly Confirms Justice Eni Esan, Others As Anti-Corruption Agency Board Members.

A seven man board to oversee the affairs of the Oyo Anti-corruption Agency has been confirmed by the Oyo State House of Assembly. The appointment of the board members was confirmed on Friday during plenary. This was sequel to a screening exercise conducted for all the nominees by the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The board has Justice Eni Esan, a Rtd President of Oyo State Customary Court as Chairman while the Director , Ministry of Justice, Mr Ibrahim Oyemonla Tijani is the Secretary. Other members are Prince Oyebade Oyedepo, Barr Temitope Ayorinde, Dns Esther Olapade, Mr A.S Ashaolu, CSP Erindero Lawrence and Mr Ibrahim Oyemonla.
 
The Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin charged the newly appointed Anti-corruption Agency board members to be focused and perform their duties to the best of their abilities. Hon. Ogundoyin urged the Board members not to compromise their office and position but ensure corruption is reduced to the barest level and corrupt officials are prosecuted.
 
” We encourage you do you best so that the board can achieve its set objectives. To me it is one of the most important boards in Oyo State going by the resolve of Governor Seyi Makinde to wage total war against corruption in the state. As legislature, we will give all necessary support to the board. It is important that we create awareness on the existence of the Anti-corruption Agency” The Speaker said.
 
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Muhammad Fadeyi said with the caliber of people appointed as board members for the Agency, there is no cause for alarm. Other Lawmakers commended the Governor for domesticating the Anti-corruption Agency in Oyo State.
While answering questions from the Lawmakers, Hon Justice Eni Esan assured the Legislature that members of the board will justify the confidence reposed in them by waging war on corruption.
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Remarks at the Inauguration of the Board of the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA)

The journey to this inauguration formally started about a year ago with the signing of the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Law 2019. The law is primarily directed at sanitising the public/civil service and ensuring that both public and civil servants at both the state and local government levels carry out their responsibilities without institutionalised corruption.

We would be lying to ourselves if we do not acknowledge the endemic corruption in the system. Just recently, you may have come across various videos on social media where some people made statements alluding to not being given access to state coffers. Apparently, these people feel that the state’s accounts should be made available to them to do as they please.

So, with this inauguration of the Oyo State Anti- Corruption Agency (OYACA), we are sending out a clear message, here in Oyo State, we have zero-tolerance for corruption. Any person elected, employed or engaged in any capacity in the public or civil service in Oyo State, who accepts or promises to accept money, fees, donations, loans, gifts, or any other reward for rendering a service to members of the public will be investigated and made to face the full wrath of the law.

It will no longer be business as usual. Public/civil servants are called to serve, not to steal. And I trust that the members of OYACA will do all in their power to ensure that all matters brought to their attention are judiciously handled. There are to be no sacred cows, anyone who runs afoul of this law will be prosecuted swiftly.

OYACA is here today represented by members of the board. Men and women of integrity. We have the Chairman of the board as Justice Eni Esan, a retired judge and former President of Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal. The secretary of the board is Mr Ibrahim Oyemonla Tijani, the Director, Ministry of Justice.

Other members are Prince Oyebade Oyedepo, Barr. Temitope Ayorinde, Dns. Esther Olapade, Mr A.S Ashaolu and CSP Erindero Lawrence.

So I ask that members of this agency continue maintaining the impeccable records for which they were picked. The goal should be to ensure that the Oyo State public/civil service becomes the benchmark.

When collaborations become necessary, OYACA is empowered to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

I will always maintain that for us to build the Nigeria we dream of, we must create strong systems and institutions. We must also be willing to work and make sacrifices for those systems to function correctly. This agency is part of the systems we are putting in place in Oyo State. So instead of offering a bribe to get ahead for that contract or promotion, why not be patient and wait your turn?

Corruption works with a giver and receiver. So, I urge the good people of Oyo State to refrain from offering bribes and to refuse to give bribes to any public officers even if they insist on it. We have so many channels to report such misconduct, and more are on the way. Please use our feedback channels to make a report against any public officer who is involved in corruption.

With that being said, I hereby pronounce the Oyo State Anti Corruption Agency inaugurated.

~ Governor Seyi Makinde, December 22, 2020