The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the recent allegation of financial embezzlement levelled against Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola.

In a letter signed by its Executive Director, Debo Adeniran, which was made available to LEADERSHIP, it reads "We read with surprise and apprehension the advertorial placed on pages 44 and 45 of The PUNCH newspaper of Thursday, January 28, 2010 under the title: The True Face of Lagos. The publication, which was designated as "Part I" contained several allegations bordering on what its signatories, namely: Kasali Martins and Dr Tunde George described as "some of the expenditures which the government claimed to have incurred on behalf of ‘Lagosians’ and which we feel were mere avenues to corruptly enrich some privileged individuals in and out of government and to which the state House of Assembly under the tutelage of ‘governor emeritus’ otherwise known as the Lion of Bourdillon has become an accomplice covering up a lot of misdeeds on the part of the executive.

"The duo alleged that the Lagos State government embarked on frivolous spending on white elephant projects, unnecessary and excessive donations, lack of due process in budget implementation, illegal deduction and diversion of statutorily allocated funds and properties, as well as inflation of already awarded contracts.

"Other allegations border on opening of illegal accounts, indiscriminate borrowing, and creation of illegal government departments and sidelining ministries, departments and agencies when contracts affecting them are executed, among others.Although the alleged ‘mega corruption’ involving the government of Fashola in Lagos State is already in the public domain."

It further stated that the allegation has semblance of political rivalry, saying, "It is possible to rapidly refuse to countenance the allegation as mere political gambit by rivals in the Lagos political turf, especially in the wake of the seeming laudable programmes of the government. But the perceptive and discerning mind would think differently.