HEDA has petitioned the EFCC over alleged mismanagement of Bodija explosion funds released to Oyo State, demanding transparency, accountability and investigation.
Fresh concerns over accountability in the management of public funds have emerged following a petition submitted by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the handling of Bodija explosion funds released to the Oyo State Government.
The petition, dated January 5, 2026, was addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, and signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju.
In it, the civil society organisation alleged possible diversion, misapplication and criminal breach of trust in connection with the N30 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government after the deadly January 2024 explosion in Bodija, Ibadan.
The Bodija explosion, which claimed lives, displaced residents and destroyed properties, prompted the Federal Government to approve emergency financial assistance to support victims, rebuild damaged infrastructure and restore the affected environment.
According to HEDA, however, more than a year after the disaster, serious questions remain unanswered about how the intervention funds have been handled.
HEDA stated that while various relief efforts were announced in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, available records and public disclosures suggest that only about N4.5 billion was applied directly to victim compensation and emergency relief.
The organisation expressed concern that the remaining portion of the Bodija explosion funds has not been clearly accounted for, despite repeated public interest and calls for transparency.
The issue gained renewed momentum following comments by a former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, who alleged during a national television interview that the Federal Government released as much as N50 billion to the Oyo State Government for the explosion response and reconstruction of the Old Bodija axis.
His claim sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians demanding clarity on the actual amount received and how it was managed.
Reacting to the controversy, the Oyo State Government acknowledged receiving federal intervention funds but disputed the N50 billion figure.
State officials clarified that the amount released by the Federal Government was N30 billion, adding that the funds had not yet been utilised.
According to the state government, the money remained untouched pending the release of an additional N20 billion it expected as part of the overall intervention package.
This explanation did not sit well with victims of the explosion and residents of the affected communities, who argued that the prolonged withholding of the funds worsened their hardship.
Many of the victims insisted that earlier assistance was insufficient to address the scale of losses suffered and called for the immediate deployment of the Bodija explosion funds to support recovery and rebuilding.
Read also: Fayose releases documents claiming Oyo misused Ibadan explosion fund
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Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, maintained that the government’s position had not changed.
He said the state had already issued a comprehensive explanation on its response to the disaster and remained comfortable with the steps taken so far.
According to Mr Oyelade, the Oyo State Government disbursed approximately N4.085 billion as direct compensation and support to victims.
He also disclosed that the state spent about N24.6 billion from its own resources on environmental remediation, infrastructure repairs and safety measures in Bodija and surrounding areas affected by the blast.
He stressed that the state government had acted responsibly and transparently.
However, HEDA, in its petition made available to journalists, raised further concerns about accountability.
The group alleged that the Bodija explosion funds were reportedly kept in a commercial bank for over a year, accruing interest, without adequate public disclosure or a detailed breakdown of how the money was being managed.
The organisation argued that holding such a substantial public fund without clear utilisation plans or periodic disclosure undermines public trust and raises red flags that warrant investigation.
HEDA therefore urged the EFCC to compel the Oyo State Government to publish a comprehensive account detailing the total funds received, amounts spent, specific projects funded and the status of any unspent balance.
HEDA further noted that the allegations touch on serious offences, including abuse of office, diversion of public funds, criminal breach of trust and possible money laundering — all of which fall squarely within the statutory mandate of the EFCC.
While acknowledging that Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants immunity from prosecution to a sitting governor, the group emphasised that such immunity does not prevent investigation.
According to HEDA, constitutional immunity should not be used as a shield against scrutiny, especially where public resources and citizens’ welfare are involved.
The organisation therefore called on the EFCC to conduct a thorough, impartial and professional investigation into the receipt, custody and utilisation of all Federal Government intervention funds linked to the Bodija explosion.
It maintained that a transparent probe would not only clarify the fate of the Bodija explosion funds but also reinforce public confidence in anti-corruption institutions and democratic accountability.
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