Social rights group, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging that the governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde has “diverted” the N30 billion the federal government donated to the victims of the Old Bodija explosion in 2024 that killed two people and injured over 80 people.
The petitioners accused the Oyo State Government of “diversion, misapplication and criminal breach of trust involving the N30bn released by the Federal Government to the Oyo State Government in the aftermath of the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan.”
The petition, signed by HEDA Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Suraju, and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, queried the status of the fund released for the compensation of explosion victims, reconstruction and emergency relief.
According to the the petition dated January 5, 2026, the group expressed concern that only about N4.5bn intervention funds were reportedly applied to relief and compensation for victims, while the FG’s N30bn remained largely unaccounted for.
HEDA notes that “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 alleged diversion of the funds was recently revealed by former governor of Oyo State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose wgo accused Governor Seyi Makinke of keeping quiet about the money which was put at N50 billion.
However, in defending himself, Governor Makinde admitted that he received N30 billion which he claims is nestled in a bank account while the victims of the explosion remain unattended to two years after the blast.
The explosion site has remained unattended to despite the huge money donated by the federal government.
In a face-saving reaction, the turned around to state that it kept the N30 billion in the bank pending when the government will make a complete payment of N50 billion to the state. The government also admitted that it had released N4.8 billion to the victims of the explosion in the last two years.
HEDA in their petition demanded that the EFCC mandate the Oyo State Government to provide transparent public disclosure or a comprehensive account of the total intervention funds received, how they were spent and the status of any unspent balance
The group reiterated thath, “These allegations raise serious concerns bordering on corruption, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, criminal breach of trust and possible money laundering, all of which fall within the statutory mandate of the EFCC.”
While acknowledging that Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants immunity from prosecution to a sitting governor, HEDA stressed that such immunity does not bar investigation, especially on matters involving public funds.
“Constitutional immunity does not preclude investigation, particularly in issues relating to accountability and the management of public resources,” the statement read.
The group therefore charged the EFCC to launch a thorough, impartial and professional investigation into the “receipt, management and utilisation of all Federal Government intervention funds released to Oyo State in connection with the Bodija explosion.”
