Ekiti LGA’s N1 Billion Vanishes: Unlawful JAAC Deductions Funnel Millions to Insolvent Kwara LGAs
Ekiti, Kwara State — The controversial siphoning of public funds in Kwara has raised eyebrows once again, as reports reveal that over ₦1 billion—20% of Ekiti Local Government Area’s (LGA) budget—was allegedly funneled to bail out other struggling LGAs in Kwara State from 2020 to 2022. This alarming drain on Ekiti’s coffers is attributed to what critics describe as an illegal deduction scheme orchestrated under the Joint Allocation Accounts Committee (JAAC), sparking outrage among residents and anti-corruption advocates.
According to data released by ENetSuD, Ekiti LGA endured ₦1,050,195,767.24 in deductions over the span of three years, allegedly to “support” neighboring insolvent LGAs, including Asa, Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, and Moro. Deductions were reportedly imposed without Ekiti’s consent, raising questions about mismanagement and corruption within Kwara’s local governance framework.
In 2020 alone, ₦308,436,450.24 was deducted from Ekiti LGA’s funds, marking the beginning of what appears to be a systematic practice. The trend continued with ₦282,908,936.81 subtracted in 2021, and a staggering ₦458,850,380.19 siphoned in 2022—exposing a pattern that has allegedly deprived Ekiti LGA of funds meant for local development and essential services.
Over these three years, Ekiti LGA received a cumulative total of ₦5.2 billion, yet an alarming 20% of these funds—₦1 billion—was redirected. The deductions under the JAAC scheme, viewed by many as illegal, have fueled a debate on transparency and accountability in Kwara’s governance. Observers argue that Ekiti’s funds were systematically drained to prop up other LGAs plagued by inefficiency, pushing Ekiti itself toward insolvency.
Residents and watchdog groups are now calling for a comprehensive investigation into Kwara State’s JAAC practices, demanding accountability and transparency for funds intended to support Ekiti’s growth.
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