Makinde In EFCC Crosshairs As ₦30bn Petition Sparks National Outrage

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging the diversion and mismanagement of the ₦30 billion released by the Federal Government to the Oyo State Government after the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Dated January 5, 2026, the petition was signed by HEDA’s chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to the EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede.

In the petition, HEDA sought clarification on how the ₦30 billion meant for victims’ compensation, reconstruction of the affected Bodija community and emergency relief had been utilised. The organisation expressed concern that only about ₦4.5 billion was reportedly spent on relief efforts, leaving the bulk of the funds allegedly unaccounted for.

HEDA noted that the petition followed public debate triggered by former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, who claimed during a television interview that the Federal Government released ₦50 billion to Oyo State for the explosion and reconstruction of Old Bodija.

In response, the Oyo State Government acknowledged receiving federal funds but clarified that the amount was ₦30 billion, not ₦50 billion, and stated that the money had not been accessed pending the release of the remaining ₦20 billion.

After the disclosure, victims of the explosion called for the immediate release of the ₦30 billion, saying earlier compensation was insufficient.

The state government had previously announced that it paid ₦4.085 billion in compensation and support to victims and spent ₦24.6 billion from its own funds on the affected area and its surroundings.

Reacting to the renewed controversy, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, told The PUNCH that the government maintained that the ₦30 billion remained untouched, describing the allegations as politically driven.

He said the state stood by its earlier explanation, adding that the timing of the controversy, ahead of the 2027 general elections, was not coincidental.

In its petition, HEDA also raised transparency concerns, alleging that the funds had been kept in a commercial bank and accrued interest for more than a year without public disclosure.

The group urged the EFCC to compel the Oyo State Government to publicly account for the funds received, how they were applied and the status of any unspent balance.

HEDA argued that the allegations potentially amount to corruption, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, criminal breach of trust and possible money laundering, all of which fall within the EFCC’s mandate.

While acknowledging the constitutional immunity enjoyed by a sitting governor under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, HEDA stressed that such protection does not preclude investigations into the management of public funds.