Oyo faces scrutiny over N30bn relief fund as HEDA drags Makinde to EFCC

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged mismanagement of N30 billion released by the Federal Government to Oyo State following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.

The petition, signed by HEDA Chairman Olanrewaju Suraju and addressed to EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, questioned the use of the funds meant for compensating victims, emergency relief, and reconstruction.

According to HEDA, only about N4.5 billion of the intervention funds were reportedly spent on relief and compensation, leaving the remaining N25.5 billion unaccounted for.

HEDA expressed concern that the funds were kept in a commercial bank for over a year without public disclosure and urged the EFCC to ensure transparent accounting.

The organization also highlighted potential breaches, including corruption, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, and money laundering.

The controversy reignited after former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose claimed in a television interview that N50 billion had been released to Oyo State.

The state government clarified it received N30 billion, which it said would remain untouched until it received the remaining N20 billion.

Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, reiterated that the N30 billion remains intact.

He said the state had disbursed N4.085 billion to victims and spent N24.6 billion of its own resources on reconstruction and environmental cleanup.

Oyelade suggested that the ongoing debate over the fund could be linked to the 2027 general elections, noting the government’s readiness for political contests.

HEDA emphasized that constitutional immunity for a sitting governor does not prevent investigation, especially regarding public funds, and urged the EFCC to conduct a thorough, impartial probe into the management of the federal intervention funds.