Oyo partners estate surveyors to block use of looted funds in real estate

Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) on Wednesday, entered into a collaboration with the state branch of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) to stop the use of looted public funds for real estate in the state.

The OYACA Chairman, Justice Eni Esan (retd), who disclosed this while hosting members of NIESV in her office in Ibadan, the state capital, harped on the need for collaborative efforts to stamp out corruption in the state.

The OYACA Chairman, represented by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Ibrahim Tijani, Esan announced that the agency had investigated and concluded about 309 cases, the prosecution of corrupt civil servants and the recovery of huge amounts of money from corrupt contractors and civil servants.

She said, “Collaboration would help to identify, verify and manage assets recovered from corrupt practices while ensuring proper valuation and disposal of forfeited assets as well as maintaining ethical conduct within the real estate sector.

“While congratulating your institution, we recognise the efforts of your body in regulating and promoting the best of the established standards for professional conduct among members.

“These attest to the fact that your organisation also plays an important role in achieving a fair society, free of corruption, it is time to regulate the sector to stop looted funds from being channeled to the real estate sector of the state economy.”

Earlier, the state NIESV Chairman, Olufisayo Ogunbiyi, said the cooperation would enhance the government’s resolve to stave off illicit funds from the real estate sector.

Dignitaries present were the management members of OYACA, which include the Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Tijani, Folasade Ajibade, Director ICT, Tajudeen Azeez, Director, Finance and Administration, as well as the Vice Chairman of NIESV, Estate Surveyor Olasukanmi Tanigbola, among others.