The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA), yesterday, said that it had received 406 petitions on corruption-related cases from April 2021 till date. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), OYACA Chairman, Justice Eni Esan, disclosed this in Ibadan during a media briefing and lecture to commemorate the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day.

Esan, a retired judge, said the petitions from government departments, institutions and individuals, were on corruption practices and administrative actions. She, however, said that over 204 cases had been thoroughly investigated and concluded, while 13 persons were already facing trials in court.

The chairman said investigations were ongoing on 202 other cases, while the agency had secured convictions of some civil servants engaged in varying corrupt practices.

She, therefore, called for the collaborative efforts of residents, government officials, the youth and the media, including the private and public sectors, to develop the state and Nigeria by fighting corruption.

The retired judge said the agency would continue to enlighten the citizens on the effects of corruption and the roles they must play in fighting it. In his lecture, Oyo State Chairman, Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Investigator of Nigeria, Prof. Samuel Awobode, said fighting corruption requires a multifaceted approach.

Awobode, who identified the youths as the most vulnerable to corruption because they could easily be deceived, said youths’ engagement was crucial in the anti-corruption fight because they possessed societal strength and innovation to drive the required change. Awobode, who advised the youths to shun sharp practices, also called on the private and public sectors to fight corruption.