The Independent Corrupt Practices Offences Commission (ICPC) has absolved the governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni, of diversion, misappropriation and hijacking of local government statutory allocations.

A group, Coalition for Probity in Government, had written a petition on September 1, 2008 alleging that Governor Oni was diverting allocations meant for the 16 local councils in the state for personal use.

However, the ICPC, in a letter which was made available to journalists, said it found no infraction of the provisions of the ICPC Act 2000.

The letter, which was addressed to the petitioner, and signed by Enosa Omonighibo on behalf of the ICPC chairman, was also copied to the governor.

The letter reads in part: "I am directed to inform you that after a discreet investigation of the allegations contained in the petition, the commission finds no infraction of the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

"In reaching the above conclusion, the ICPC noted particularly the fact that there was no credible evidence found during investigations to show that the governor chaired Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) meetings for personal benefit or for the purpose of influencing the decisions either way for personal benefit or to take unfair advantages on another. "Besides, the sharing formula adopted was specified in a law duly enacted by the Ekiti State Assembly.

"It is hoped that the role played by the commission and the above information would serve your purpose," the statement added.