The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged misappropriation and diversion of ₦30 billion released by the Federal Government to the Oyo State Government following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.
The petition, dated January 5, 2026, was signed by HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede. In the document, the organisation expressed concerns about the transparency and proper utilisation of the funds, which were meant for victim compensation, reconstruction of the affected Bodija area, and emergency relief operations.
HEDA highlighted that only about ₦4.5 billion of the intervention funds was reportedly used for relief and compensation, while the remaining amount appears unaccounted for. “The organisation is concerned that just ₦4.5 billion of the intervention funds were applied to relief and compensation for victims, leaving the bulk of the ₦30 billion largely unaccounted for,” the petition stated.
The petition follows public controversy ignited by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who claimed in a national television interview that the Federal Government had released ₦50 billion to Oyo State for the Bodija victims and reconstruction of Old Bodija. The Oyo State Government subsequently clarified that it received ₦30 billion, not ₦50 billion, and that the funds remained untouched, pending the release of the balance of ₦20 billion.
Victims of the explosion have since demanded immediate disbursement of the ₦30 billion to supplement earlier compensation, which they described as insufficient. According to previous government disclosures, Oyo State had disbursed ₦4.085 billion in support and compensation to victims, while spending ₦24.6 billion from its own resources on reconstruction and environmental restoration in the Bodija area.
Addressing the controversy, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, reaffirmed the state government’s position that the ₦30 billion remained untouched. He dismissed the renewed debate as politically motivated, noting, “The Oyo State Government stands by its comprehensive statement on the unfortunate incident. We are aware it is the eve of the 2027 general elections and are prepared for all inquiries.”
HEDA’s petition further alleged that the ₦30 billion was reportedly kept in a commercial bank accruing interest for over a year without public disclosure. The organisation urged the EFCC to compel the state government to provide a full and transparent account of the funds received, detailing utilisation and the status of any unspent balance.
“These allegations raise serious concerns relating to corruption, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, criminal breach of trust, and potential money laundering, all of which fall under the statutory mandate of the EFCC,” the petition read. While acknowledging that Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants immunity from prosecution to a sitting governor, HEDA stressed that constitutional immunity does not prevent investigations into the management of public funds.
“Constitutional immunity does not preclude investigation, especially regarding accountability and management of public resources,” the petition added, urging the EFCC to conduct a thorough, impartial, and professional inquiry into the receipt, handling, and utilisation of all federal intervention funds released to Oyo State in connection with the Bodija explosion.
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