N30bn Explosion Grant: HEDA Drags Gov Makinde To EFCC

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA  has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFFC over the N30 billion relief fund the state government received from the federal government to cushion the effect of the explosion in Bodija, Ibadan in 2024.

In the petition signed by HEDA Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraj and sent to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede on Sunday, the transparency body accused the Governor Seyi Makinde-led government of not being transparent over the N30 billion received from the federal government to assist the victims of the explosion.

The state government has however rebuffed HEDA, saying it did no wrong over the issue.

HEDA’s petition also comes amid fresh demands  by the victims of the explosion who are lamenting that they were not adequately compensated  by the state government.

During an  interdenominational remembrance service held at All Souls Church, Old Bodija, Ibadan, last week to mark the second anniversary of the tragedy, President of the Bodija Estate Residents’ Association, BERA, the group representing the victims of the explosion called on the state government to come to their aid, to enable them build back their houses destroyed during the incident.

“I have to appeal to our people. There are families who lost loved ones and have not received anything. Some started rebuilding their homes but have not been able to finish because they lack access to funds,” Muyiwa Bamgbose, BERA President said.

Recall that the Makinde administration had clashed with a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose after the latter claimed that the state government received N50 billion relief fund from the federal government after the explosion.

The former governor had berated the state government for allegedly shortchanging the victims of the explosion, calling on Makinde to come clean over the matter, revealing that barely over N4 billion was shared to the victims by the state government despite the humungous amount allegedly received.  .

According to the HEDA petition to the EFCC, the body is demanding the probe of the state governor for allegedly misapplying and diverting the fund, describing the government’s action  as a breach of trust against the people of the state.

HEDA accrued the state government of lodging the N30 billion in an interest yielding account with a commercial bank in the country, calling on the agency to probe state governor and ensure that the fund is properly 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,” part of the petition read.

Governor Makinde, the magazine earlier reported disclosed that the N30 billion received from the federal government remained untouched in the bank where it was lodged, saying his government used the funds from the state coffers to assist the victims , apart from the over N24 billion used for rehabilitation work of the area where the  explosion occurred.

Reacting to HEDA’s petition to the EFCC, Dotun Oyelade, the state Commissioner for Information told The Punch that the position of the government on the N30 billion remains the same, saying there’s no cause for worry.

He accused critics of the government of playing politicos with the issue, citing the closeness of the 2027 general election.

Oyelade: “The Oyo State Government is at peace with the comprehensive and convincing statement issued on the unfortunate incident.

“We stand solidly by our statement and refer everyone to same. It’s 2026, the eve of the 2027 general elections. We understand and we are ready.”