ibadan — The Oyo State government rose from its executive council meeting in Ibadan yesterday with a call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release to it money and property belonging to the state which were confiscated from its former governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as well as expedite trial of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

In a statement at the end of the meeting, the state's Commissioner for Information, Mr. Taiwo Otegbeye, said "The executive council of Oyo State government has passed a resolution urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite action on the trial of the two former governors of Oyo State and their co-accused persons facing trial for misappropriation of the state funds and resources."

While commending the EFCC for its strides in investigating, arresting and prosecuting the two former governors for offences relating to misappropriation and conversion of the state funds and resources, the government noted that the trials of the former governors were yet to commence.

More specifically, in the statement, the state asked the commission to release to it the state government's money and property, which include impounded vehicles which were purchased from the proceeds of the loot.

According to the government, the money and property recovered by the anti-graft agency, which it said were well over N700 million, was still outstanding.

The government urged the commission to give it the money so that it can be used for the execution of developmental projects in the state.

"The council pledges the support and cooperation of the Oyo State government to EFCC in its task of ridding the country of corruption," the statement said.