Ibadan was yesterday thrown back into the eye of a political storm as the Oyo State Government dismissed as politically motivated a petition by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged diversion of a N30 billion Federal Government intervention fund.
HEDA had written to the EFCC, accusing the state government of diversion, misapplication and criminal breach of trust in relation to funds released by the Federal Government after the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
In the petition dated January 5, 2026, and signed by HEDA Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, the group questioned how the N30 billion meant for victims’ compensation, reconstruction and emergency relief was handled, alleging that only about N4.5 billion was reportedly applied, leaving the bulk of the fund unaccounted for.
According to the petition addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, HEDA expressed concern that the intervention funds were allegedly kept in a commercial bank at interest for over a year without adequate public disclosure by the state government.
The organisation urged the anti-graft agency to compel the Oyo State Government to provide a comprehensive account of the funds received, how they were utilised and the status of any unspent balance, warning that the allegations raised issues bordering on corruption, abuse of office and possible money laundering.
The controversy has its roots in public disquiet that followed comments by former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who claimed during a television interview that the Federal Government released N50 billion to Oyo State as intervention funds for the Bodija explosion and reconstruction of the affected area.
In response, the Oyo State Government acknowledged receipt of N30 billion, insisting that the funds remained untouched pending the release of the remaining N20 billion. This clarification further fuelled agitation by victims of the explosion, who demanded access to the funds to augment what they described as inadequate compensation.
The state government has consistently maintained that it disbursed N4.085 billion as support and compensation to victims, while expending N24.6 billion from its own resources on remediation and environmental work in Bodija after the disaster.
Reacting to the petition, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, said the administration stood by its earlier position that the N30 billion had not been spent, attributing the renewed controversy to early manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The Oyo State Government is at peace with the comprehensive and convincing statement already issued on the unfortunate incident,” Oyelade said. “We stand solidly by that statement. It is 2026, the eve of the 2027 general elections. We understand and we are ready.”
While acknowledging the constitutional immunity enjoyed by a sitting governor, HEDA argued that such protection does not bar investigation, especially in matters concerning public funds, and called on the EFCC to conduct what it described as a thorough, impartial and professional probe into the receipt, management and utilisation of all Federal Government intervention funds released to Oyo State in connection with the Bodija explosion.
