…..As the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime, And Anti-corruption Commission begins operations.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime, And Anti-corruption Commission, Hon. Justice Williams Akintoroye, vowed that all corruption cases involving the resources of Ondo state can be probed by the new agency.
Addressing a news conference in Akure on Tuesday, Justice Akintoroye also declared that the recent alleged forgery of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s signature when he was still alive, could still be investigated if there are enough evidence to prosecute alleged individuals.
The Chairman flanked by the Secretary of the Commission, Prof Adewole Adeyeye and board members said, “this Commission was established with the enactment of the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime, and Anti-Corruption Commission Law, 2022 (hereinafter called “The Law”). The Bill was singed to Law on the 10th of January, 2022, by the immediate past Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, now of blessed memory. (Shall we observe a minute silence in honour of that visionary leader and a friend of the people).
“Though, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu is no more with us in the flesh, yet we believe his spirit is here with us because of his passion for this Commission, which he conceived and gave birth to.
“The Commission was inaugurated on Tuesday the 7th day of March, 2023. Our Mission Statement as a Body is to rid Ondo State of corruption and criminal activities relating to finance. As a pioneer anti – corruption body in Ondo State, our primary mandate is to curb the devastating effect of corruption. This we hope to pursue professionally in line with best practices.
“We will maintain our integrity by acting impartially, with commitment and in the interest of the Public. As a Commission, we will be bold and pragmatic in our actions and decisions. Fighting corruption demands a continuous review of tools, strategies and approaches. Sequel to this, we believe our mandate includes prevention of crime through system study and review; public education through creation of awareness, enlisting of youths and students as members of anti – corruption clubs or vanguard, which we plan to establish in institutions of learning in Ondo State. Our aim for desiring this approach is to prevent, or reduce to the barest minimum the rate at which crime or corrupt practices are committed in this State.
“Before the enactment of the Law that established this Commission, there have been in existence various enactments and provisions of law, made to fight corruption and other criminal activities. Some of such Laws in existence are the Criminal Code; Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2015; The Ondo State Anti –Kidnapping and Anti- Abduction Law 2010; Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law 2021, the Anti – Open Gracing Law 2021, and others not specifically mentioned.
“However, the enactment in 2022, of the Law that sets up this Commission was the first time a separate body would be established in Ondo State to fight corruption and other matters relating thereto. Our Law is made up of 72 sections. Section 1 cites the Law, whereas section 2 deals with its interpretation. The Law in its section 4 makes provision for the creation of a Board for the Commission, consisting of an Executive Chairman and three other members of proven integrity with educational background in any of the fields stated in its sub – section (1) (b). The Chairman and members of the Board are to be appointed by the Governor subject to the confirmation of the State House of Assembly.
“Sections 14 and 15 empower the Commission to investigate, prosecute,
adopt and enforce measures to ensure transparency in the management of
resources of the State Government, carrying out and sustaining public
enlightenment campaign against acts of corruption and financial malpractices, etc.
“The Law in its section 22 provides for a Secretary, who shall be a qualified member of any of the recognized professional bodies in any field, with not less than ten (10) years’ experience. He shall be appointed by the Governor, and shall function under the general direction of the Chairman. His duties are clearly spelt out in sub –
section (2) (a) to (d) of the Law.
“Section 24 relates to the departments that should be created in the Commission, and each department shall be headed by a Director. Sections 29 to 35 create offences, which include gratification, bribery, fraud,
deliberate frustration of investigation, conspiracy, concealment of information, and the appropriate penalties. Section 39 empowers this Commission to issue an invitation directed to a person complained against, or any other person to attend
before the Commission.
“Section 44 empowers this Commission to obtain warrant of arrest from a Court of competent jurisdiction to compel the attendance of a person who has been invited and who fails to honour the invitation of the Commission. Sections 45 and 46 have to do with the power of the Commission to enter upon land or premises to investigate allegation made, and to seize movable goods where and when the need arises.
“There is penalty under Section 48 for
anyone that refuses an officer of the Commission access to any premises, or fails to submit to a search by the Police or any law enforcement agent authorized by the Commission in the execution of this Law. It is the word of God in 1 Corinthians 10: 12 that anyone who thinks that he stands, should take heed lest he fall. The hunt must not become the hunted. That is why Section 54 of the Law makes it mandatory for the Commission to keep proper accounts in respect of its revenue and expenditure, the form which shall be in conformity with standard accounting practice and Financial Regulation.
“The accounts shall be audited annually by an external auditor appointed by the Commission from a list of approved auditors provided by the Auditor – General of the State. Sections 60 and 62 have to do with seizure and attachment of the assets
of persons under investigation. Pursuant to the provision of section 63, the Commission shall cause an application to be made to the Court for an interim order under the enabling Law.
“Where a suspect is convicted of an offence after trial by a Court of competent jurisdiction, this Commission shall cause an application to be made to the order of confiscation and forfeiture of the convicted person’s assets and properties acquired or obtained as a result of the crime already subject to an interim order under this Law. Section 72 of the Law makes it mandatory for the Commission to submit a progress report of its activities to the Office of the Governor and to the House of Assembly of the State, on a yearly basis, not later than 31st day of December of every year.
“Therefore as an anti – corruption
body, we in this Commission have all put on what Bible describes as the full armor, that we may be able to take our stand against the ugly trend in the society called corruption and fraudulent practices. Corruption is not limited to Government offices. It is prevalent even in open market
and places of worship. Ditto with financial crime, which is no longer limited to the political class and public servants.
“This is why it is imperative to create an environment that enables strong and independent institutions like ours that provide oversight of government activities and the general public. Such strong bodies have a salutary effect on political will as they exert the necessary pressure on the people in corridor of power, and also as the watch-dog for the public.
“However, because of the peculiar nature of our assignment, couple with the fact that it is the first time in the history of this State since its creation that a separate body would be so empowered to fight against corruption and hunt down agents of financial malpractices, we know that we have a big assignment to carry out. We
need to be meticulous in our approach.
“Our approach to issues will be multi – dimensional, but void of bias or animosity. We promise to be fair to all in the exercise of our power under the enabling Law, yet we will not compromise in any way. Apart from receiving and investigating petitions or complaints on corruption or financial crime from members of the public, it will form part of our duty to take
pragmatic steps that will reduce financial crime or fraud to the lowest level in Government offices.
“We will examine the practices, systems and procedures of MDAs in the State. Score – cards will be issued with a view to enforcing compliance and fidelity. With time, we will open liaison offices of the Commission in the three Senatorial Divisions of Ondo State. The justification for this is to enable us take the public enlightenment to the grassroot. The fight will not be limited to the State Capital, it must get to the nooks and crannies of the State.
“We like to appreciate Mr. Governor, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for being always there for us in this Commission. Mr. Governor sees this Commission as one of the legacies that were left behind by Arakunrin that must be given much attention and support. We also want to thank the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami and many other Government officials for giving prompt attention to issues or matters that concern this Commission,” Justice Akintoroye said
