EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION: How Dapo Abiodun Abandoned Ijebu's World-Class Stadiums, Routed Gateway Games Billions to Private Interests

FOI Request Filed. Costs Remain Secret. Ijebu Communities Left Holding Empty Arenas.

*By Adewale Ajibosin 

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When the Ogun State Government announced the hosting of the 22nd Gateway Games, sports enthusiasts across the state expected the obvious: that the Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, one of the most impressive sports facilities in Southwest Nigeria, would anchor the competition as a flagship venue. It did not. Neither did the Sagamu Stadium, another international-standard facility sitting fully equipped within the state's territory.

Instead, Governor Dapo Abiodun's administration quietly entered into what sources describe as a "management deal" with private sporting centres and at least one higher institution, channelling thousands of athletes, officials, and support personnel through non-government facilities, at costs that remain, to this day, deliberately hidden from the public.

The questions that follow are not merely administrative. They cut to the heart of governance, ethnic equity, fiscal transparency, and the calculated marginalisation of a people whose infrastructure investment was built precisely for moments like this.

The facts on ground are difficult to dispute. Ijebu-Ode hosts the Dipo Dina International Stadium, a facility constructed and upgraded to international specification. It has the seating capacity, the track and field infrastructure, the floodlighting, and the ancillary support systems expected of a modern multi-sport venue.

Within proximity sits a Games Village comparable in concept and structure to the celebrated Afuze Camp in Edo State, a facility that has successfully housed large contingents of athletes and officials during inter-state competitions. A functional NYSC orientation camp, equipped with residential blocks, kitchens, recreational spaces, and security perimeters, sits nearby, ready-made for the accommodation demands of a state-level sporting festival.

Sagamu contributes an additional layer: its own stadium, also meeting international standards, strategically located along one of Nigeria's busiest transport corridors, with unmatched accessibility for delegations arriving from Lagos, Ibadan, and beyond.

The state possessed, in the Ijebu corridor alone, a self-contained sporting complex capable of hosting the Gateway Games from opening ceremony to medal presentation. Infrastructure. Accommodation. Logistics. All present. All idle.

Governor Dapo Abiodun chose none of it.

What the Abiodun administration chose instead is where the story darkens considerably. Government sources confirm that a "management deal" was executed with private operators, routing the hosting infrastructure of the 22nd Gateway Games away from state-owned public facilities toward privately controlled venues and the premises of a higher institution.

The total cost of this arrangement remains unknown to the public.

A civil society organisation, acting under the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, formally filed a request demanding a full breakdown of public expenditure related to the 22nd Gateway Games, covering venue hire, accommodation, logistics, feeding, security, and all ancillary costs tied to the management deal.

That request has not been meaningfully honoured.

No itemised budget has been released. No contract documents have been published. No procurement records have been made available. The

government that prides itself on transparency has met a basic constitutional FOI demand with institutional silence.

This is not bureaucratic delay. It is a deliberate suppression of public accountability information tied to what independent analysts estimate could run into hundreds of millions of naira in public funds.

The question that demands an answer: if the deal was legitimate, lawful, and value-for-money, why the secrecy?

Before interrogating Abiodun's conduct further, the public record demands that an established standard of excellence be placed on the table for direct comparison.

In 2006, the Ogun State Government under the leadership of Otunba Gbenga Daniel hosted an edition of the Gateway Games that remains, by every measurable index, the gold standard for games management in the state's history. The numbers are not disputed: the government realised N792 million in revenue from the Games and expended N702 million, leaving a surplus of N90 million. The Gateway Games turned a profit. Public money was not only accounted for to the naira; it generated a return.

But the financial record is only part of the story. Under Otunba Daniel's administration, Ogun State did something no host state had ever done in the entire history of the Gateway Games: it accommodated and fed every competing athlete from all states of the federation, entirely at the state government's expense. From Rivers to Sokoto, from Borno to Lagos, every delegation was housed, catered for, and treated as a guest of Ogun State. It was a logistical undertaking of historic proportions, executed without fanfare and without excuses.

That unprecedented act of sporting hospitality was not accidental. It reflected a deliberate philosophy of governance: that public events funded by public resources must deliver public value, measurable, transparent, and inclusive.

Nineteen years later, under Dapo Abiodun, the outgoing governor of Ogun State, he cannot produce a single document showing what the 22nd Gateway Games cost, who was paid, or on what basis public-owned stadiums were bypassed in favour of privately held facilities. The contrast is not subtle. It is a complete institutional collapse of the standard that Otunba Daniel set.

If the Daniel administration could host a Games that fed every athlete in Nigeria, generated a N90 million profit, and accounted for every kobo, there is no administrative, technical, or financial justification for the Abiodun administration's refusal to disclose basic expenditure data for its own edition. None. The precedent exists. The benchmark is documented. The excuse of complexity does not hold.

To understand why the deliberate exclusion of Ijebu-Ode and its facilities carries weight beyond administrative preference, one must situate this decision within a visible pattern of conduct under the Abiodun administration.

The Ijebu people, one of the most historically organised and commercially active sub-groups in Yorubaland, have watched with growing frustration as a governor who owes the entirety of his political fortunes to the Ogun State political structure has consistently failed to reflect Ijebu interests in state policy, appointments, and infrastructure prioritisation.

Gateway Stadium in ruins

The Gateway Games was not merely a sporting event. For communities in Ijebu-Ode and its environs, it represented a rare and legitimate opportunity for economic activation. Hosting thousands of athletes and officials translates directly into hotel bookings, food vendor revenues, transportation income, retail trade, and the broader hospitality economy. These are real earnings for market women, bus operators, provision sellers, sachet water producers, and the informal economy workers who constitute the backbone of Ijebu commercial life.

Dapo Abiodun took that opportunity and handed it elsewhere.

By routing the Games away from the Dipo Dina Stadium and the Ijebu Games Village, his administration denied Ijebu-Ode the economic multiplier effect that sporting festivals of this scale are specifically designed to generate for host communities. It is, in the assessment of civil society observers tracking the administration, a deliberate act of economic exclusion dressed in the language of administrative discretion.

The 2006 edition demonstrated that hosting the Games creates measurable economic circulation within the host community. Abiodun did not merely fail to replicate that model. He inverted it, stripping Ijebu communities of the economic dividend that public infrastructure, built with their taxes, was meant to deliver.

The investigative record as it stands generates the following specific, unanswered questions for the Abiodun administration:

**On Infrastructure:** What technical assessment, if any, was conducted to determine that the Dipo Dina International Stadium, the Sagamu Stadium, the Ijebu Games Village, and the adjacent NYSC Camp were unfit or insufficient to host the 22nd Gateway Games? Were any such reports produced? If so, they must be published.

**On Procurement:** Through what process was the "management deal" with private sporting centres and the higher institution awarded? Was it open tender, restricted bid, or sole sourcing? Who are the beneficial owners of the private entities that received public funds?

**On Cost:** What is the total sum of public money expended on the 22nd Gateway Games? What portion went to private operators? How does this compare to the documented N702 million expenditure of the 2006 edition, which generated a N90 million surplus? How does it compare to the cost of utilising the state's own facilities?

**On the FOI Request:** Under what legal justification has the government failed to honour a duly filed Freedom of Information request? The FOI Act is not optional. Non-compliance is a justiciable matter.

**On Equity:** Does the Abiodun administration maintain any internal policy framework for geographic equity in the distribution of state-sponsored economic activities? If so, how does the exclusion of Ijebu-Ode from the Gateway Games satisfy that framework?

**On the Historic Standard:** In 2006, Ogun State accommodated and fed every athlete from all 36 states, a first in the Games' history, and still returned a profit. What did the 22nd Gateway Games deliver by comparison, and at what cost to the Ogun State taxpayer?

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## The Verdict of Infrastructure

There is a particular cruelty embedded in what happened at Ijebu-Ode. Public funds, drawn from the collective resources of Ogun State, were used to build and maintain a world-class stadium in that city. A Games Village was constructed with the explicit purpose of supporting exactly the kind of large-scale sporting event the Gateway Games represents. Yet when the moment arrived, the man entrusted with governing the state looked at those facilities, looked at the Ijebu people who live and work in their shadow, and decided they were not worthy of the investment's return.

The Dipo Dina International Stadium did not fail the Gateway Games. The Gateway Games was kept away from Dipo Dina International Stadium.

That distinction is not semantic. It is political. It is deliberate. And it has a name.

The 2006 edition stands as permanent, documented proof that the Gateway Games can be hosted profitably, transparently, and with historic generosity, using state infrastructure, without secrecy, without private management deals, and without bypassing the communities that deserve the economic benefits most. Otunba Gbenga Daniel set that standard. Dapo Abiodun has not met it. He has not even attempted to.

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## Conclusion: Silence Is Not Governance

Governor Dapo Abiodun has 48 hours to respond to this publication with specific, documented answers to the questions raised above. His media office, his Sports Commissioner, and his Attorney General, whose office bears responsibility for FOI compliance, have been notified of this inquiry.

In the absence of credible, documented responses, this publication will proceed on the established record: that the 22nd Gateway Games was used as an instrument to direct public expenditure toward private and institutional interests; that world-class Ijebu infrastructure was deliberately sidelined; that the economic rights of Ijebu communities were deliberately denied; that a Freedom of Information request lawfully filed under Nigerian statute has been treated with contempt; and that a governor who inherited a documented standard of excellence in games management has chosen opacity over accountability, private gain over public benefit, and political exclusion over equitable governance.

The Ijebu people will not forget. Neither, on this occasion, will the public record.

UNAUTHORIZED DEBIT: UBA Tells Artisan to Wait 23 Working Days Before Reversing Strange Sportybet N200,000 Transaction

Clancy Owie, an artisan, has narrated how the United Bank for Africa (UBA), refused to refund over N200,000 to him after he was debited twice for a transaction he did not initiate.

When he contacted the bank, they told him to wait for 23 working days.

UNKNOWN TRANSFER

Speaking with FIJ on Monday, Owie said he received two N100,000 debit alerts of transfers to a Sportybet account on Thursday.

“My account was debited twice on Thursday. N100,000 each into Sportybet, which I know nothing about,” he said.

“I don’t have anything to do with Sportybet. I am not a gambler. So, I don’t know how the transaction with Sportybet came about. But the transaction was done with Sportybet.”

The debit alerts Owie received on Thursday.

The transfers totalled N200,107.

Owie also told FIJ that he had planned to use the deducted funds to buy materials for work. “This money is for work. I wanted to use it to buy materials,” he said.

UBA’S RESPONSE

After contacting UBA on Friday, the bank told him to wait for 23 working days. “The bank said I should wait for 23 working days. They said it was transferred through mobile transfer to a Sportybet account. That they are working on it. That was all they could say,” he said.

On Friday, FIJ phoned and texted UBA. They sent an automated reply in response. FIJ hasn’t received a follow-up response at press time.

Payroll While Abroad? Questions Trail Ogun Governor’s Aide Amid Canada Refugee Claim

Serious questions are emerging over payroll integrity and staff oversight in Ogun State following allegations that a media aide to Governor Dapo Abiodun may have relocated to Canada to pursue refugee protection while allegedly remaining on the state government’s payroll.

Multiple sources within the state civil service told this newspaper that Emmanuel Ojo, Senior Special Assistant on New Media, is still listed as active staff attached to the governor’s office, despite reports that he has been outside Nigeria for an extended period. Official records confirming resignation, approved leave, or disengagement could not be immediately established as of press time.

At the heart of the controversy is not migration itself, but a fundamental governance issue. Was a serving government aide physically absent from duty while continuing to receive public funds, and if so, who authorised it?

Public service regulations require formal clearance for extended absence, foreign relocation, or resignation. Failure to comply raises potential red flags ranging from administrative negligence to payroll abuse. Analysts note that if salary payments continued during an unapproved absence, the issue would extend beyond one individual to systemic weaknesses within the state’s personnel and payroll controls.

While refugee and asylum applications are protected by strict privacy laws, travel history, payroll records, and staff nominal rolls are verifiable public-interest documents. These records can establish whether the aide remained in active service, whether payments continued, and whether supervising authorities were aware of his whereabouts.

The Ogun State Government has not issued an official response to the allegations. Officials contacted said they were not formally briefed and declined comment.

As scrutiny intensifies, the case is fast becoming a test of transparency in an era when the “Japa” migration wave is colliding with weak institutional monitoring. The central question remains unanswered: how many public officials may be absent from duty, abroad, yet still quietly drawing salaries from state coffers?

14 Years of Luxury, Zero Planning Approval? Lagos Seals Illegal Estates, Names Adron Homes Amid Enforcement Blitz

While Adron Homes marks its 14th anniversary with fanfare — including an all-expenses-paid vacation to Qatar for 14 staff members — the Lagos State Government has moved decisively against estates operating outside the law, citing the developer among those that failed to regularise mandatory layout approvals.

The enforcement action, led by the Lagos State Government through its Office of Physical Planning, saw several structures sealed across the Lekki axis and Lagos Island for operating without approved layout plans and building permits.

The crackdown follows an earlier 2025 audit in which the government identified 176 illegal estate developments concentrated in Eti-Osa, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe. Developers were issued a 21-day ultimatum to regularise their approvals — a directive many, including prominent names, reportedly ignored.

According to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the affected estates were declared illegal for failing to obtain statutory layout approvals, a lapse officials say undermines sustainable urban growth and violates the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda.

Among the estates previously listed for non-compliance were Adron Homes, Elerangbe; Aina Gold Estate, Okun-Folu; Diamond Estate, Eputu; Prime Water View Garden, Ikate Elegushi; and Royal View Estate, Ikota — developments that continued operations despite clear regulatory warnings.

Confirming the latest enforcement exercise, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, said the operation began on Wednesday and was led by the Director of Development Matters, Hakeem Animashaun. The sweep targeted estates in the Lekki corridor that had earlier been cautioned but failed to comply.

Although the commissioner did not disclose the total number of sealed buildings, he reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance on unauthorised developments, urging developers to secure layout approvals and building permits before commencing construction.

“The Office of Physical Planning is statutorily mandated to ensure that all developments comply with approved planning standards and regulations,” Olumide said. “We will continue to enforce compliance across the state. Developers must prioritise obtaining layout approvals and building permits to avoid sealing and other penalties.”

He added that the ongoing enforcement aligns with the state’s commitment to orderly urban development, infrastructure protection and sustainable growth, particularly in fast-expanding corridors such as Lekki-Ajah, warning that similar operations would be extended to other parts of Lagos.

Estates visited during the exercise included Adron Homes, Victoria Nest, Vistaview Estate, Empire Homes, JadeView Estate, BlessedView Homes and Micrian Villa Estate, among others, a clear signal that regulatory compliance, not anniversary celebrations or luxury incentives, remains the benchmark for operating in Lagos’ real estate space.

Political Rift Deepens in Abeokuta North as Councillors Allegedly Plan Showdown with Chairman

Fresh political tension is brewing in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State following allegations that some councillors, backed by leaders loyal to a governorship aspirant, are plotting to embarrass the council chairman, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo.

The chairman, who has been credited with notable development projects and effective policy execution, is reportedly being targeted over political loyalties and financial disagreements.

Sources disclosed that the planned action could take place within days, raising concerns about possible disruption of council activities.

A serving councillor, who requested anonymity, told our reporter that certain political leaders are unhappy with the chairman’s alignment with Governor Dapo Abiodun and his alleged refusal to support alternative political camps within the party.

The source also claimed that grievances over the non-payment of “Owo Odun” and dissatisfaction with financial allocations to councillors are fueling the unrest.

However, the same councillor acknowledged that the chairman currently provides monthly financial support and allows councillors to execute constituency projects — initiatives he said were uncommon in previous administrations.

He added that not all councillors are in support of the alleged plot, noting that many fear the consequences of legislative-executive conflict at the grassroots level.

Concerned stakeholders are urging top government and party officials to intervene swiftly to avoid a repeat of the crisis previously witnessed in Ota Local Government, where political disagreements led to the suspension and impeachment of the council chairman before state authorities restored order.

Court Fines UBA N30 million for Illegally Freezing Customer’s Account

The court has ordered the bank to immediately refund $163,592 withheld from the company, Micoz Bluelink Enterprise.

Mr Lifu held that the bank had no legal basis for freezing the business domiciliary account or transferring funds from the account without a court order or notifying the customer.

The judge described the act as “a breach of the banker-customer’s relationship”.

According to him, the UBA’s action was ultra vires its powers, reckless and bereft of mercy.

The certified true copy of the judgment, delivered on July 25, was made available to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja.

The plaintiff, Akpasi Oziegbe, trading under the name and style of Micoz Bluelink Enterprise, had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1412/2023, sued UBA as the sole defendant.

The plaintiff’s legal team, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, and Adeyemo Richard, exyplained that the firm was incorporated on March 19, 2021, with a domiciliary account opened thereafter for trading operations.

On July 20, 2022, the company discovered that the account had been restricted by the bank with a balance of $163.8 million meant for supply contracts.

“The applicant made several enquiries to the bank seeking reasons for the account restriction, but the bank failed to respond or unfreeze the account,” Mr Ojukwu said.

Mr Richard, equally, contended in one of the sittings that the bank allegedly transferred the sum without the company’s authorisation on August 19, 2023.

The plaintiff, in the affidavit in support, averred that “there is no mention of fraud in the call-back request presented by the bank, and the document lacks proper endorsement and authenticity.”

In its defence, UBA, through its counsel, Kalat Jatau, admitted the inflow of $163.8 million but claimed the funds were flagged as suspicious.

The bank said it filed a suspicious transaction report with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit and temporarily restricted the account pending enhanced customer due diligence.

The bank alleged that “the applicant was informed of the restriction and requested further documentation, which, upon review, was found to be inconsistent with actual transaction amounts”.

It further argued that the funds were recalled following a SWIFT instruction from its correspondent bank, Citi Bank.

Delivering the judgment, Mr Lifu held that UBA breached its fiduciary duty and acted without court approval.

“The bank failed to inform the applicant of reasons for the restriction and proceeded with unilateral withdrawal, thereby breaching the banker-customer contract,” he held.

On the validity of the bank’s evidence, the judge found UBA’s Exhibit ‘A’ defective.

“There is no mention of ‘fraud’ or ‘fraudulent’ in the document, which only states ‘Possible Duplicate’ and does not justify a call back,” he said.

The judge also recognised the significant economic loss and business disruption caused to the applicant following the over-one-year restriction.

According to Mr Lifu, there is no proof the bank took appropriate steps before restricting the account or withdrawing funds, nor did it disclose where the money was transferred.

The judge held that customer’s funds could only be withdrawn from their account “pursuant to an unequivocal instruction by the customer or a court order”, and that neither of which was presented.

He declared UBA’s actions “illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of banker-customer relationship”. The judge, therefore, cited the bank’s conduct, the applicant’s status and economic factors in awarding damages.

These, he said, included “the continual depreciation of the naira”.

Mr Lifu, thereafter, awarded ₦30 million in damages in favour of Micoz Bluelink Enterprise with “post-judgment interest of 10 per cent until the judgement sum is fully liquidated.”

The judge also ordered the reversal of the $163,592 withdrawal.

(NAN)

Dapo Abiodun’s Political Vendetta: What Kayode Akinmade Must Learn Before Speaking for Ogun State

The cries of political vendetta against Governor Dapo Abiodun are no longer whispers — they are now a roar across Ogun State. The latest trigger? Fresh threats to demolish properties linked to former governor and current senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

At the center of the governor’s defense machinery is his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, who has been quick to dismiss the warnings and concerns from Senator Daniel’s camp as nothing more than a “wolf cry.”

But Akinmade — an indigene of Idanre in Ondo State and a former Commissioner for Information under Governor Olusegun Mimiko — must be reminded that Ogun politics is not his native Ondo politics. Here, scars run deep, memories are long, and bulldozer politics is not easily forgiven.

Only two years ago, in a shocking midnight raid, Governor Abiodun ordered the demolition of a multimillion-naira complex in Ijebu Ode belonging to Yeye Olufunke Daniel, wife of the senator. The ₦5 billion structure, completed and awaiting commissioning, was flattened under the cover of darkness. Locals still say, “A dynamite would have done a cleaner job.”

At the time, the governor swore it wasn’t political — just as he is swearing now. But the court of public opinion and subsequent legal tussles told another story: it was pure political vendetta.

This is the same governor who, on September 11, 2023, publicly boasted of how he “saved” another property of OGD from demolition back when he assumed office in 2019, trying to paint himself as a magnanimous facilitator. Yet the contradiction is glaring: how does a man who once sought refuge in Asoludero Court — OGD’s stronghold — in March 2019, now target the very symbol of the support that helped him into office?

Let’s refresh memories for Mr. Akinmade: in 2019, when Dapo Abiodun was fighting to survive politically against the hostile machinery of his predecessor, it was OGD who publicly endorsed him, opening political doors and mobilizing his network to ensure Abiodun’s victory. That was no small favor — it was a kingmaker’s blessing.

Today, that same Asoludero Court is reportedly on the demolition list. If this isn’t political vendetta, then the word has lost its meaning.

So, Mr. Akinmade, before you rush to insult the intelligence of Ogun people with your press statements, thread softly. This is not Ondo State where you can play outsider politics without consequence. Ogun people know their history, their heroes, and their betrayers.

And tell your boss this: no bulldozer will ever erase the political memory of Ogun State. If he tries, the backlash will be louder than any machine he sends in the night.

Political Vendetta Gone Wild: Abiodun Targets Gbenga Daniel’s Mansions and Hotels for Demolition

The political battle in Ogun State has reached boiling point as Governor Dapo Abiodun moves against his predecessor, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in what Daniel’s camp is calling a “brazen and shameless abuse of power.”

In a dramatic twist late Friday afternoon, August 8, agents allegedly acting on the governor’s orders swooped on Daniel’s sprawling Asoludero Court residence, the multi-billion-naira Conference Hotel in Sagamu, and its Annex—pasting contravention, quit, and demolition notices on all three properties at once.

The government claims the buildings violate provisions of the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law No. 61 of 2022. But Daniel’s team says the accusations are absurd, pointing out that the properties were legally built years before the law even existed—Asoludero Court in 2004, Conference Hotel in 2013, and the Annex in 2015.

“This is not governance; it’s political gangsterism,” declared Steve Oliyide of the OGD Media Office. “Abiodun is weaponizing the law to destroy an opponent, trampling on due process, and using intimidation in place of justice.”

The fiery statement draws parallels to the notorious midnight demolition of DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode—owned by Daniel’s wife—in September 2023, carried out under the cover of darkness on what critics described as “flimsy excuses.” That case is still in court, with the state government suffering repeated legal defeats.

Political watchers say the latest action signals a dangerous escalation in Ogun’s political wars, raising fears of a descent into open hostility ahead of the next election cycle.

As at press time, the Ogun State Government had not commented on the allegations, but tension in the state’s political circles is at an all-time high.

Agege LG tussle: Real Reasons Ganiyu Egunjobi, Agbelebu Don't See Face-to-Face

• …The Obasa game plan to install son as LG chairmen

 

Fresh revelations have emerged on why the outgoing Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Ganiyu Egunjobi, is allegedly opposed to his Vice Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Abiola, popularly known as Agbelebu from succeeding him.

Sources close to the political circle revealed that there has been no love lost between the duo from the onset, despite both belonging to the same political faction led by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. It was gathered that Obasa’s alleged divide-and-rule style of politics contributed significantly to the strained relationship between Egunjobi and Agbelebu.

When Agbelebu was appointed Sole Administrator of Agege Local Government through Obasa’s influence, he reportedly refused to offer financial support to Egunjobi as directed by the Speaker. Agbelebu also did not back Egunjobi’s bid for the chairmanship, as he allegedly had his own preferred candidate. He was also said to have failed to campaign for Egunjobi among civil servants.

Upon his election as chairman, Egunjobi reportedly “took his pound of flesh,” sidelining Agbelebu. Observers believe this lingering animosity is a key reason Egunjobi is allegedly determined to block his vice from succeeding him. There are fears that if Agbelebu emerges as the next chairman, several alleged financial infractions committed by Egunjobi during his tenure may come to light.

It was also gathered that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently investigating the council boss and may arrest him once his tenure ends in a few months. Egunjobi reportedly fears that Agbelebu might cooperate with the EFCC in the probe, hence his desperation to stop him from taking over.

In an apparent move to frustrate Agbelebu’s ambition, Egunjobi is said to be pushing for the imposition of a 73-year-old ailing aspirant, Tunde Azeez, popularly known as Tunde Disco who is currently the APC LGA chairman as his successor. Disco is to be deputized by AbdulGaniyu Vinod Obasa, son of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

Initially, both Egunjobi and Obasa had backed AbdulGaniyu Obasa for the chairmanship, a decision that reportedly devastated Agbelebu and triggered outrage among other aspirants. Many of them had already begun consultations, mobilizing support, and raising funds for their campaigns when the news broke.

According to sources close to Agbelebu, he was deeply hurt by the move, especially after his professed loyalty to Speaker Obasa and his significant investment in preparing to succeed Egunjobi. He reportedly withdrew from social media for days after hearing the announcement. His supporters, enraged by what they saw as a betrayal, protested vehemently and vowed to resist the imposition of Obasa’s son.

“Agbelebu has paid his dues,” one of his supporters said. “If anyone deserves to become the next chairman of Agege Local Government, it is him. He has served the grassroots diligently and made sacrifices to bring Agege to where it is today.”

Another protester fumed, “It is not fair! How can we serve the father and still be asked to serve the son? Why is it now that it’s Agbelebu’s turn that Obasa is doing all this? Agbelebu is not stepping down for anybody. It’s a fight to the finish!”

Amid growing tensions, Agbelebu reportedly called his supporters to order and announced that he had no intention of going head-to-head with his political leader over the decision to impose his son.

However, it was later gathered that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intervened by removing AbdulGaniyu Obasa’s name from the chairmanship nomination list submitted to the state. In response, Speaker Obasa, in collaboration with Egunjobi, nominated Tunde Disco, who was the council boss’s original choice, as the replacement candidate.

Despite Tunde Disco’s failing health, he was allegedly helped to the APC Secretariat on Acme Road to fill out his nomination forms and undergo screening. The 73-year-old reportedly had to be physically supported throughout the process.

A source within the party disclosed that Rt. Hon. Obasa allegedly planned his son as the vice-chairman nominee with a long-term plan: once Tunde Disco assumes office, he is expected to resign due to his health condition, allowing AbdulGaniyu to seamlessly take over as chairman. The plan is so advanced, insiders say, that Tunde Disco’s resignation letter has already been prepared.

The list of cleared and successful chairmanship aspirants for Agege Local Government Area, released by the APC Electoral Committee, includes: Akerele Salaudeen Idowu, Sola Osolana, Abiodun Ogunji, Taiwo Olasunkanmi Samuel, Tunde Azeez (Tunde Disco), Bukola Sofidiya and Oduwusi Femi.

Source: city.ng

Anti-Graft Agency EFCC Probes NiMet Director-General Anosike Over Alleged Contract Fraud, Mismanagement Of IGR

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally opened investigations into the Director-General of the gency, Professor Charles Anosike, and members of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) management team over allegations of contract fraud and the mismanagement of internally generated revenue (IGR).
Nigerian fashion

The probe, revealed in an EFCC memo obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, sparked a two-day strike by the agency staff before the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, intervened to call for calm.

“This Commission is investigating a case involving the Nigeria Meteorology Agency (NIMET) and the need to seek for information from your office has become imperative,” read the EFCC’s letter dated 28th March, 2025, signed by C.E. Abdulkarim Chukkol, Director of Investigation.
Nigerian fashion

 “You are kindly requested to furnish us with the following documents and information to enable us proceed with our investigation: i.   List of contracts executed by NIMET from 2023 to date; ii.  List of registered contractors with the Agency; iii. Evidence of requisite procurement process/procedure sequel to award of contracts; iv.  Details of the account operated by the Agency and v.   And any other information that will assist the Commission in the investigation.”
The letter, which cites sections 38 (1) & (2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, marks the first public confirmation of a formal EFCC inquiry into NIMET’s contracting processes under Professor Anosike’s watch.

Earlier this week, NIMET employees downed tools in protest of what they termed “rising infractions in contract awards” and “opaque handling of agency revenues.” 
A source within the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), who spoke on condition of anonymity, told SaharaReporters: “We had no choice but to strike after repeated appeals to management for transparency fell on deaf ears. Our strike crippled key services, from aviation weather reports to seasonal forecasts critical to farmers.”
The two-day stoppage forced the aviation minister, Keyamo, to summon both NIMET management and union leaders to a meeting on Wednesday, where he urged all parties to “exercise restraint” and “fully cooperate with ongoing investigations.”

In an official statement issued, NIMET’s General Manager, Public Relations, Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, described the EFCC letter as a “routine request” that predates Professor Anosike’s appointment in December 2023:
 “The EFCC has, as part of its standard procedures, asked for documentation on contracts awarded as far back as 2021. No member of our current leadership has been invited for questioning, nor is anyone under indictment. We are fully cooperating with the Commission.”
Ibrahim lamented what he termed “sensational and misleading reporting” that falsely depicted the document request as evidence of corruption within the agency’s current administration.

Wema Bank: 80 Years of Stagnant Survival in Nigerian Banking

Wema Bank, one of Nigeria’s oldest surviving banks, has existed since 1945—making it an octogenarian institution. Yet despite its longevity, the bank remains a paradox of persistence without prominence. While competitors like First Bank, Zenith, and GTBank evolved into financial powerhouses, Wema Bank has mostly coasted in the shallow waters of mediocrity.

A Legacy of Playing Catch-Up:
Wema’s most notable contribution in the last two decades is ALAT, Nigeria’s first fully digital bank. While that gave the bank a much-needed PR boost in 2017, it was more a leap of desperation than one of innovation. ALAT's initial hype has long since cooled, and it hasn’t significantly shifted Wema’s market dominance or profitability.

Chronic Underperformance:
Throughout much of its history, Wema has been dogged by inconsistent leadership, limited capitalization, and a relatively weak customer base. It's a Tier-2 bank in every sense—offering the basics but rarely leading in innovation, profitability, or service delivery. Even as Nigeria’s banking sector consolidated and expanded aggressively, Wema Bank remained a fringe player.

Survival, Not Success:
Wema has managed to avoid collapse or forced mergers—credit is due there—but survival should not be mistaken for success. Its operational reach is modest, its balance sheet is dwarfed by competitors, and its influence in setting financial trends is nearly nonexistent.

What’s Next?
The bank faces a pivotal future: either reinvent itself with bold, aggressive strategy or fade further into irrelevance. Mere tradition can’t sustain a financial institution in a fast-evolving digital and competitive landscape.

In 80 years, Wema Bank has not failed—but it hasn’t truly thrived either. It exists. And that may be the most brutal truth of all.

NOW STREAMING: Watch Malabugate documentary series on YouTube

The highly anticipated Malabugate documentary, detailing the $1.3 billion OPL 245 oil saga, is now available for streaming on TheCable’s YouTube channel.

The documentary is being released in parts, with part one now live. The second and third parts of the series will follow shortly.

The story aired on TVC News at 9pm on Sunday, May 4, to rave reviews.

Produced by TheCable in partnership with the Cable Newspaper Journalism Foundation (CNJF), Malabugate unpacks over two decades of controversy surrounding one of Nigeria’s most prolific oil wells.

The story begins from when the Sani Abacha military junta awarded OPL 245 to a company with no known track record, to how the licence was revoked, restored, and eventually flipped in a deal involving Shell, Eni, and a web of politically exposed players.

The report unfurls the complex dynamics at play within the global oil industry and Nigeria’s political sphere.

It also provides an insight on how power, politics and influence continue to shape the country’s oil sector.

Do well to stay tuned for the sequels.

2027: OGD Reshuffles Campaign Structure, Sacks 2023 DG, Political Adviser

... Appoints Alabi Jamiu as New DG, Amosun's Man, Osifade as Deputy

In a bid to strengthen his campaign structure towards the 2027 race , Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing the Ogun East at the upper legislative chamber in Abuja is said to be considering a reorganisation. 

Sources revealed that he might have carried out a first phase reshuffle of his campaign structure, easing out the erstwhile DG, a former ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Remo North local government, John Obafemi as well as the former Commissioner Youth and Sports, Fatai Sowemimo.

In their place, Senator Daniel it was gathered has appointed former Sagamu Youth Association, Jamiu Alabi Olododo to serve as Director General of the 2027 Senatorial campaign, while he also appointed a former aide of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Dele Osifade as Deputy.

Those who are close to the OGD campaign structure revealed that the Senator who was trying to inject youthful energies into his campaigns has decided to gradually disengage older members of his campaign structure so that they younger men can drive him towards the 2027 Senate.

Otunba Daniel unveiled his new DG when he held a meeting with members of his political team a few months ago, and he has also been introducing him to all members of the structure while touring the Senatorial District.

Some informed sources revealed that "Jamiu Alabi, who founded the OGD Political Movement upon which the senator eventually built his  political structure is the best candidate to lead OGD campaign, but he was shortchanged during the last campaign, and returning him to provide leadership is like putting the right peg in the right hole".

A member of the OGD Media who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak in that capacity however debunks the claim, claiming no such changes has taken place. According to him "That must be mischievous, because the OGD structure remains strong. We don't know where you are getting your stories from. Of course there could be some ambitious individuals trying to hijack the process, but no such thing actually took place nor is being contemplated". 

He said further that "The Gateway Movement was and still is the OGD Campaign Structure and this was an extension of his Gateway Front Foundation that he started more than 20 years ago. This OGD Political Movement is strange to us and whoever told you about that should be bold enough to show his face in public".

Here Are 4 times VeryDarkMan Has Been Arrested

His outspoken commentary on social issues and public figures has frequently placed him at odds with law enforcement

​Nigerian social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has become quite the household name in recent years. Known for calling out public figures, politicians, and influencers on various issues, VDM’s confrontational style has earned him both devoted followers and powerful enemies. 

Over the past few years, he’s been arrested multiple times, mostly on charges related to cyberbullying, defamation, and cyberstalking, sparking public debates about free speech in Nigeria.

Here is a timeline of VDM’s different run-ins with the law:

March 2024:  Arrested Over Cyberbullying Allegations
VDM was arrested on allegations of cyberbullying and cyberstalking, including making false accusations against  Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in police custody until his hearing on May 29, 2024. After two weeks in detention, he was released.

October 2024 : Arrested after 'Police uniform fiasco'
In October 2024, the renowned critic was invited by the Nigerian police after a video of him wearing the police uniform went viral. Said video raked in different reactions online, with many slamming him for abusing the uniform.’

However, after honouring the invitation, VDM was detained by the police and the news was confirmed by his lawyer Deji Adeyanju.
His post read, “Our client, VDM, has been detained after honouring a police invitation just like yesterday. VDM has been consistent in stating that the Nigerian Police are our friends, even when we all know they are not.”
VDM was subsequently released from detention.

March 2025: Arrest Warrant issued for the defamation of Mercy Chinwo
In March 2025, the Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Very Dark Man (VDM) over the alleged defamation of Nigerian gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025, following VeryDarkMan's failure to appear before the magistrate after being summoned on March 5, 2025. However, he was never arrested for this.

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A post shared by Martins vincent otse (@verydarkblackman)
May 2025: Arrested at Abuja Bank
On Friday, May 2, 2025, VDM was arrested after going to a bank with a friend, immediately sparking reactions and widespread outrage, According to his lawyer,Adeyanju, the outspoken activist was apprehended inside a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch alongside a friend, identified only as C Park.
"JUST IN: VDM arrested by the police at GTB. Spoke to them before he was arrested. This is absolutely unacceptable. Demanding accountability is not a crime," Adeyanju said in a social media post.

Tragedy in Yaba: Woman Escapes Death After Husband Sets House Ablaze Over Alleged Lesbianism

A mother of two narrowly escaped death after her husband allegedly set their house on fire following revelations of her involvement in a same-sex relationship. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, February 10, 2024, at No. 65 Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos.

The victim, identified as Fatima Issa, reportedly sustained severe burns while attempting to escape from the inferno. She was later admitted to Almat Medical Centre, where she is currently receiving treatment.

According to neighbors and family sources, Fatima, who has a son and a daughter, had been enduring years of domestic abuse and neglect from her husband. It was gathered that the couple’s relationship deteriorated significantly over time, with allegations of abandonment and lack of sexual intimacy. Sources claim Fatima eventually found emotional and physical solace in a same-sex relationship — a decision that reportedly spanned nearly five years before her husband discovered the affair.

When confronted, Fatima is said to have pleaded with her husband, explaining that she no longer felt a sexual connection to him and had lost the urge for penetrative intercourse. However, her confession allegedly triggered a violent outburst. The husband, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly assaulted her and sent her out of the house along with their children.

Months later, following family intervention, the couple reconciled and agreed to mend their differences. However, the husband reportedly warned her never to return to her former lifestyle.

That warning turned deadly. According to eyewitness accounts, the husband caught Fatima in another intimate encounter with her female partner and became furious upon discovering that she had allegedly introduced their daughter to the same act. In a fit of rage, he is said to have doused the house with petrol and set it ablaze while Fatima was asleep in her bedroom.

She reportedly woke up struggling to breathe and managed to escape through the kitchen door, sustaining severe burns in the process.

After the incident, Fatima allegedly confided in close acquaintances, admitting to her involvement in same-sex relationships — a controversial and criminalized issue in Nigeria. She later sought treatment at Almat Medical Centre.

Efforts to reach her for further comment have remained unsuccessful, as she has not been seen or heard from since her discharge from the hospital. Her children are currently with extended family members, according to those close to the situation.

The case has ignited conversations around the dangers of domestic violence, societal rejection, and the criminalization of non-heteronormative identities in Nigeria. Advocacy groups continue to call for stronger protections for victims and a more humane approach to sexuality-related issues.

This tragic incident remains a powerful reflection of the harsh realities many women and marginalized individuals face in silence.

This is a developing story.

Source: SocietyGist

Adetunji Adejumo, 3 Other Nigerian Fraudsters Federally Charged In Transnational Wire Fraud And Identity Theft Conspiracy in USA

Adetunji Adejumo, 3 Other Nigerian Fraudsters Federally Charged In Transnational Wire Fraud And Identity Theft Conspiracy in USA

Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann announces the unsealing of two indictments charging Olufemi Odedeyi (40, London, UK), Ibrahim Davies (40, London, UK), Adetunji Adejumo (43, Oklahoma City, OK), and Ibrahim Jinadu (34, Atlanta, GA) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, theft of public money or property, and aggravated identity theft. Odedeyi, Davies, and Jinadu were arrested on September 9, 2021 and Adejumo was arrested on September 13, 2021. Officers from the UK National Extradition Unit apprehended Odedeyi and Davies in London, United Kingdom, where they have been detained pending extradition to the United States. Agents from Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) apprehended Jinadu and Adejumo in the United States.

If convicted, Odedeyi, Davies, Adejumo, and Jinadu each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud count, as well as additional penalties for the remaining counts. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit assets that are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

According to the indictments, while residing in the United Kingdom, Odedeyi and Davies obtained unauthorized access to computer servers of United States businesses and participated in stealing the personally identifying information (PII) of United States residents from those servers. Odedeyi and Davies then used that information to file with the IRS false and fraudulent U.S. Department of Treasury IRS Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns seeking income tax refunds. Adejumo and Jinadu, while residing in the United States, collected the fraudulent refund proceeds, which were directed to prepaid debit cards in their possession or to addresses or bank accounts that they controlled or to which they had access. Adejumo and Jinadu then transferred a share of the fraud proceeds to Odedeyi, Davies, and other conspirators.

Odedeyi and Davies used various means to obtain unauthorized access to the computer servers, including a website that was operated for years and sold access to compromised computers worldwide and also to the PII of U.S. residents. The site’s administrators strategically maintained servers throughout the world to facilitate the website’s operation.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

The investigation was led by the IRS-CI Tampa Field Office and the Tampa Division of the FBI, with assistance from the IRS-CI Cyber Crimes Unit (Washington, D.C.). Substantial assistance was also provided by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, IRS-CI and FBI International Operations at Mission UK, the United Kingdom’s National Extradition Unit, the International Crime Coordination Centre and the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit in the United Kingdom, IRS-CI Dallas and Atlanta Field Offices, Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations Tampa Field Office, and the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Georgia and the Northern District of Texas. The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones.

The Patriot: Pantami’s Alleged Link to Terrorism

Pantami's Link to Terrorism

Online cams: Bakare, Alimi steal $750K, N120m from BA, KLM, Turkish Airlines

Two online scammers, Tobiloba Ibrahim Bakare and Seun Sikiru Alimi were today sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for stealing $750,000 (N285m) and N120 million from KLM, Turkish Airline and British Airways.

The sentences were summarily handed over by Ikeja Special Offences Court.

The convicts were arraigned on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for hacking into the electronic mails of the airlines and stealing the sums.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo convicted and jailed the duo after they entered into a plea bargain agreement with the EFCC.

They pleaded guilty to the seven-count charge filed against them.

According to the EFCC, the stolen funds were laundered by the duo through First Bank of Nigeria, Sterling Bank and Polaris Bank.

Before their conviction, EFCC counsel, Mr Idris Mohammed, told the court that the offences contravened Sections 411 and 328(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and punishable under Section 328 of the law.

While reviewing the facts of the case, the counsel said that the anti-graft agency had on Sept. 2, 2020, received intelligence about suspicious transactions and money laundering.

He said that it led to an investigation by the Advance Fee Fraud Section of the commission.

Mohammed said that the investigation led to the arrest of one Kehinde Adelakun, who was convicted by the court in October 2020.

The prosecutor told the court that Sikiru’s name and his company, Alvine First Resources Ventures, came up during investigation of Adelakun.

He said that Sikiru operated corporate accounts with First Bank and Sterling Bank.

“Upon analysis of the two accounts belonging to the second defendant, several inflows were discovered from different companies between March and July 2020.

Lagos OAP Flaunts Her Nude Video On the Internet

The world is gradually coming to an end as several odd things that didn't happen two decades ago have started to become a norm in our society.

Several hours ago, we bumped into a video of a young lady, who happens to be in her 20s displaying her complete nude pictures to the world to see.

We won't be revealing her real names for now but we have all her details and that of her employers, just in case she claims she's not the one in the said video clip.

Our findings revealed that the lady works as an On-Air Personality with an undisclosed media house in Lagos, Nigeria.

Her Instagram handle is @**d*s*01... With a pseudonym...... (withheld).

Although, the beautiful Calabar lady looks decent to many of her followers but none of them actually knows what she does apart from being an OAP.

We'll be giving you update on new developments soon.

Nigeria Police Grill Music Star D’Banj Over Rape Allegation In FCID, Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has grilled Musician, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’Banj, over allegations of rape, The PUNCH is reporting.

It was learnt that D’Banj was grilled by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Adaku Anya, at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Garki, Abuja.

A statement was also taken from the Kokomaster who insisted that he never raped his accuser, Seyitan Babatayo.

A top police source said, “D’Banj has been questioned twice at the FCID, Abuja. He was questioned last week and also this week. We will leave no stone unturned as we investigate the matter.”

It was learnt that Seyitan was also invited to write a statement but she stated that she had no means of traveling to Abuja and opted to visit a police unit in Lagos.

“Seyitan appealed with us that she had no means of traveling down to Abuja. So, she has been given the option of reporting at the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi,” the officer said.

It was reported last week that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had ordered an investigation into the allegations leveled against D’Banj.

The IG had referred the case to a Deputy Inspector-General of Police to handle.

Seyitan’s friend, Benjamin Ese, in a Twitter thread in early June, had told the story of how D’Banj allegedly raped Seyitan at Glee Hotel, Lagos two years ago – in December 2018.

She said it happened at an all-white party where D’Banj allegedly offered her friend some money to spend the night which she rejected until he surprisingly showed up in Seyitan’s hotel room around 2 at the midnight.

“D’Banj drove all the way from Eko hotel where he was lodged and came down to glee hotel in Victoria Island at midnight 2.40 am and collected the spare key from the receptionist,” Ese said in the thread which has since sparked an outrage.

She said D’Banj allegedly “got into my friend’s room and forcefully threatened he would walk her out of the room naked, kept his fingers in her Vagina, and repeatedly raped her.”

The rape experience, Ese said had caused Seyitan some trauma since the incident happened.
Weeks after Ese’s tweets, Seyitan came out publicly to present herself as the lady who was allegedly raped by D’Banj in December 2018.

The musician, however, denied the allegations leveled against him and asked his accuser to make a public apology and also pay him the sum of N100m in damages.

On Wednesday, Seyitan narrated how D’Banj allegedly got her arrested and deleted all her social media posts.

She said the musician asked her to tell Nigerians that the allegations were a mere publicity stunt.

Seyitan, however, said she rejected all of D’Banj’s advances.