The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has secured the conviction of Wahab Olabanji, a senior official of the state’s Hospital Management Board, for orchestrating a fraudulent recruitment scam that preyed on desperate job seekers.
Olabanji, who held the position of Chief Executive Officer (Accounts), Grade Level 14, was found guilty of collecting various sums of money from unsuspecting applicants, promising them employment placements in the Hospital Management Board and the Teaching Service Commission.
The Chairman of OYACA, Justice Eni Esan (retd.), disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, following the court’s verdict delivered in Ibadan.
30 Counts Of Corruption, Fraud, And Conversion
Olabanji faced a 30-count charge spanning official corruption, obtaining money under false pretense, and conversion of funds. After a 17-month-long trial, the court found him guilty on all counts.
He was sentenced to six months imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N50,000 fine per charge. In addition, the court ordered Olabanji to refund all the monies fraudulently collected from his victims within three months, in a bid to “remedy the wrong suffered by the victims.”
Justice Esan reiterated that the agency remains committed to eradicating corruption from Oyo State’s public service, stressing that OYACA will not hesitate to prosecute any civil servant, regardless of their position, who engages in fraudulent activities.
“This case is a clear example of the agency’s resolve to pursue justice to its logical conclusion. Public officials entrusted with responsibilities must be held accountable,” Esan stated.
The conviction comes amidst growing concerns over systemic corruption within public recruitment processes in Nigeria. The case of Wahab Olabanji underscores how senior public officials have often exploited the desperation of unemployed youths, turning opportunities into avenues for personal enrichment.
The ruling also reflects OYACA’s evolving approach blending punitive sanctions with victim restitution in its fight against graft.
