The Ondo State Government has launched a forensic component of the Transparency and Accountability Initiative (TAI) to strengthen accountability and curb corruption at the grassroots level.
The State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, unveiled the initiative on Tuesday in Akure at an event organised by the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC), in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN, described the initiative as a “significant and well-considered step” towards deepening transparency and ensuring that public resources are managed with integrity.
The governor said it was designed to institutionalise transparency, strengthen oversight and restore public confidence in governance, particularly at the local government level.
He stressed that the programme goes beyond ceremonial intent, noting that it introduces practical forensic accounting and auditing tools to detect irregularities, block financial leakages and ensure prudent management of public resources.
“Governance without accountability is a hollow enterprise.
“Local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and must be transparent in delivering services such as primary education, healthcare and rural infrastructure,” Aiyedatiwa said.
According to him, the new forensic framework is both corrective and preventive, aimed at addressing systemic gaps while fostering a culture of integrity among public officials.
The governor further noted that his administration is focused on proactive measures to tackle corruption, rather than relying solely on prosecution, which is often slowed by prolonged legal processes.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of SPFACC, Williams Akintoroye, said the initiative was a response to growing concerns about corruption at the local government level.
He disclosed that the commission had received 586 petitions as of February 2026, of which 129 were found to be incriminating, while 139 cases had been successfully treated.
Justice Akintoroye called for increased manpower and institutional support, stressing that corruption cannot be tackled single-handedly.
“If we do not confront corruption decisively, it will undermine the system itself.
“Citizens and stakeholders must collaborate with the commission in promoting accountability,” he warned.
He explained that the TAI is a two-phase programme, with the first phase focusing on the introduction of forensic practices, while the second phase—scheduled for later in the year—will involve the establishment of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units across local governments.
Reviewing the tool of the initiative, the Secretary of SPFACC, Adewole Adeyeye, highlighted the technical nature of the forensic component, noting that it would equip local government officials with the skills to detect and prevent corruption internally.
He explained that the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with federal inter-agency anti-corruption bodies, adding that it aims to reduce the time and resources often spent on investigations and prosecutions.
According to him, the adoption of forensic auditing techniques would enable local government officials to detect irregularities early and address them before they escalate into major infractions.
“Rather than waiting for corruption to occur, and then, spending years investigating and prosecuting, we are introducing systems that can detect and prevent such practices from within,” he said.
Adeyeye described the forensic component as a technical but vital aspect of the programme, designed to equip officers—particularly those in finance and administration—with the skills to think and operate like forensic auditors.
He added that the initiative would encourage officials to adopt forensic auditing techniques and develop a deeper understanding of financial regulations and anti-corruption laws.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, described the programme as part of a broader national anti-corruption strategy involving key institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other stakeholders.
Takuro noted that Ondo State is among the first eight states selected to implement the initiative, a development he said reflects the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption.
In his goodwill message, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Tiku Andrew Menge, emphasised that sustainable good governance depends on systems that can withstand scrutiny.
He said the forensic component would enhance public financial management by ensuring that transactions are properly tracked.
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