The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has interrogated the Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti, Prof. Shola Olatunde Adepoju, over corruption allegations during his tenure as Director General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Adepoju, who was the Director-General of FRIN from March 31, 2015, to March 31, 2023, had been accused of diverting government properties.
However, he was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2024 as Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti.
Confirming the development, the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, on Thursday said Adepoju was interrogated at their Ibadan office. He explained that the commission has commenced full investigation into all the allegations against him.
Oyewale said, “He has honoured the invitation. He came on Tuesday; he was interviewed and he was allowed to go. When we commence investigation like that, he will always interact with us.
“If we need anything from him, we will call him. Since he has come around and we have started investigation; as the investigation continues, when we will still need him, he will come,”
The President’s appointee was grilled on various allegations bordering on diverting government properties, specifically exotic vehicles meant for the institute’s operations, in collusion with the institute’s human resources director, Olufemi Michael Hastrup.
A document revealed that a month after Adepoju’s appointment as the Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal College of Education, Ilawe Ekiti, the EFCC asked him to appear at its Ibadan office over alleged fraud activities that took place under his watch as FRIN boss.
He was invited to the Commission’s office through a letter dated August 12, 2024 with Ref CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/SIT/FIR/VOL.2/069. The letter was signed by Hauwa G. Ringim, Ag. Zonal Director, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The invitation, which was addressed to the current Director General of FRIN stated, “This Commission is investigating a case in which the name of the above-mentioned former Director General of your organization featured.
The EFCC had in a previous letter to Adepoju with Ref CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/SIT/FIR/VOL.1/069 dated April 22, 2024, titled: “Investigation Activities,” asked him to furnish the commission with the account details in which payments were received, citing an earlier communication.
In the letter signed by ACE II Hassan Saidu, FDC for then Ag. Zonal Director, Ibadan, the commission noted that the request was made pursuant to Section 38(1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 24 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022.
“Our letter with Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/IB/SIT/FIR/VOL1/032 dated 19th March, 2024 and your response with Ref:CG.516/1/33 dated 4th April, 2024 refers.
“In view of the above, you are further requested to furnish us with the account details in which the payments were received as requested in our earlier letter,” the letter partly read.
