By Jubril Bada

Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, on Monday revealed that the present administration under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has initiated several programmes aimed at promoting good governance and accountability.

This is even as Dr. Ajulo, debunked the rumours that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa used state funds to prosecute the November 16, 2024, governorship election held in the state.

Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made this known in his keynote speech during a one-day colloquium on the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Law 2022, held on Monday in Akure.

The anti-corruption colloquium was organised by the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes, and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC).

The commissioner, who explained that the state government had taken proactive measures to tackle corruption, said that Aiyedatiwa would not siphon public funds for personal interests or for an election.

“If anybody wants to prove me wrong, they should find out from the last 10 months how much we have spent and appropriated.

“The government of Ondo State has placed a premium on the fight against corruption. The Governor understands sustainable development rooted in transparency and accountability.

“He (Aiyedatiwa) is not merely reacting to corruption; he takes proactive measures to prevent it. He has initiated several programmes aimed at promoting good governance and accountability,” Ajulo said.

Speaking about the programme, Ajulo said that under the criminal code, the state had prosecuted several corruption and fraud cases involving state funds without any conflict with federal agencies.

He appealed to the Anti-Corruption Commission to focus on state-level offences and work alongside federal bodies while avoiding jurisdictional overlap.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting the commission in its efforts to make a significant impact in reducing corruption in the state.

Earlier, the SPFACC Chairman, Justice Williams Akintoroye, pointed out that the colloquium aimed to address the prevailing challenges of the commission and move it forward with a solid foundation.

Akintoroye, who noted that the commission was established in 2022 by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said it had carried out various activities in line with its duties and the provisions of the enabling law guiding it.

He appealed to members of the public and scholars to join hands with the commission in the fight against corruption in the state and the country at large.

“It’s important for us to lay a solid foundation to move the state forward and achieve our desired goals. If we are able to get it right as a commission, it will have a significant impact on the present administration,” he said.