Former Director at the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Sulaiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka, has denied allegations linking him to the diversion of COVID-19 intervention funds, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement issued by his media office and obtained by Just Event Online TV, Agaka, who holds the titles of Dan Iya of Ilorin Emirate and Hasken Lafiagi of Lafiagi Emirate, said the allegations were a calculated attempt to smear his reputation and distract attention from pressing issues in Kwara State.
According to the statement, the matter in question had already been thoroughly investigated by relevant anti-graft agencies of the Federal Government and laid to rest without any indictment. “At no time was Engr. Kawu indicted, reprimanded, or even invited for questioning by any anti-corruption body on the subject matter. This confirms beyond doubt that his name was never linked to any wrongdoing,” the statement read.
The media office faulted the Movement for Public Accountability (MPA), the group behind the claims, for what it described as contradictions in its position. “In one breath, the group admitted that the matter has already been investigated. In another, it criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecuting what it called ‘foot soldiers’ while alleging that certain supposed masterminds are yet to face questioning. This admission expressly acknowledges that Engr. Kawu has not in any way been linked to the subject matter. If the statutory anti-graft bodies, with all their professionalism and investigative resources, did not find reason to indict him, what then does the so-called MPA want? Persecution? Or is it now claiming to know better than the agencies constitutionally empowered to investigate and prosecute?” it queried.
The statement further clarified that Agaka served as a Director under the leadership of an Executive Director and a Managing Director at REA, stressing that he was never the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency and could not have unilaterally determined project funding, procurement decisions, or disbursements.
Raising questions about the credibility of the group, the media office noted that the MPA is not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), describing it as a faceless organisation sponsored by political opponents unsettled by Agaka’s growing popularity, which was recently on display during his homecoming.
“Engr. Kawu is a man of proven integrity, a technocrat of repute, and a philanthropist whose post-retirement visibility is the natural outcome of decades of meritorious service and grassroots acceptance. His rising popularity cannot be dimmed or tarnished by baseless allegations,” the statement added.
The media office urged members of the public to disregard the claims, describing them as “cheap political blackmail designed to distract attention from the real issues confronting Kwara State, especially worsening insecurity and maladministration.”
It concluded that Agaka remains committed to contributing positively to the development of Kwara State and Nigeria, stressing that “no amount of orchestrated falsehood will derail this commitment.”
