The Human and Environmental Development Agenda has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the handling of the N30 billion released by the Federal Government to the Oyo State Government after the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
The petition, dated January 5, was signed by HEDA chairman Olanrewaju Suraju and addressed to the EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede.
HEDA alleged diversion, misapplication and criminal breach of trust in the management of the funds, which were released for compensation of victims, reconstruction of the Bodija area and emergency relief.
The group said only about N4.5 billion was reportedly applied to relief and compensation, while the balance of the N30 billion was not accounted for.
“The organisation is concerned that only about N4.5bn intervention funds were reportedly applied to relief and compensation for victims, while the entire N30bn remains largely unaccounted for,” the petition stated.
HEDA said the petition followed public discussions over the amount released to Oyo State, after former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, alleged that the Federal Government released N50 billion for the Bodija explosion.
It noted that the Oyo State Government later confirmed receiving N30 billion and said the funds had not been used.
According to HEDA, victims of the explosion have continued to demand the release of the funds, citing earlier compensation as inadequate.
The organisation also alleged that the N30 billion was kept in a commercial bank for over a year without public disclosure.
HEDA urged the EFCC to compel the Oyo State Government to give a public account of the funds received, how they were managed and the status of any unspent balance.
“These allegations raise concerns bordering on corruption, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, criminal breach of trust and possible money laundering, which fall within the mandate of the EFCC,” the petition stated.
The group said that while Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants immunity to a sitting governor, it does not prevent investigation into the handling of public funds.
It asked the EFCC to investigate the receipt, management and use of all Federal Government intervention funds released to Oyo State in connection with the Bodija explosion.
