FRESH controversy has erupted over the Federal Government’s N30 billion intervention fund released to the Oyo State Government following the devastating January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan, as the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging diversion, misapplication and criminal breach of trust.
In a petition dated January 5, 2026, and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, obtained by News Point Nigeria. HEDA questioned the handling of the funds released for the compensation of victims, emergency relief and reconstruction of the affected Bodija community.
The petition, signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, expressed concern that only about N4.5 billion was reportedly applied to relief and compensation, while the bulk of the N30 billion intervention fund remained largely unaccounted for more than a year after its release.
“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 group stated.
The development follows weeks of public debate sparked by comments from a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who alleged during a television interview that the Federal Government had released N50 billion to the Oyo State Government for the Bodija explosion and reconstruction of the Old Bodija area.
In response, the Oyo State Government acknowledged receiving federal intervention funds but clarified that the amount released was N30 billion, not N50 billion. The state government also insisted that the funds remained untouched, pending the release of the remaining N20 billion.
The clarification, however, further inflamed public concern, with victims of the explosion demanding the immediate utilisation of the N30 billion to supplement what they described as inadequate compensation earlier received.
HEDA, in its petition made available to News Point Nigeria, further alleged that the N30 billion was kept in a commercial bank at interest for over a year without adequate public disclosure, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the management of the funds.
The group urged the EFCC to compel the Oyo State Government to provide a comprehensive public account detailing the total intervention funds received, how much had been spent, the purposes of the expenditures, and the status of any unspent balance.
“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,” HEDA said.
While acknowledging that Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution grants immunity from prosecution to a sitting governor, the organisation stressed that such immunity does not prevent investigation into the management of public funds.
“Constitutional immunity does not preclude investigation, particularly in issues relating to accountability and the management of public resources,” the petition noted.
Reacting to the petition and the renewed public debate, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, dismissed the allegations and described the controversy as politically motivated.
Speaking on Sunday, Oyelade maintained that the state government’s position remained unchanged, insisting that the N30 billion intervention fund was still intact.
“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,” he said.
He further suggested that the sustained criticism was linked to the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
“It’s 2026, the eve of the 2027 general elections. We understand and we are ready,” Oyelade added.
The state government has also previously disclosed that it disbursed N4.085 billion as support and compensation to victims of the explosion, while spending about N24.6 billion from its own resources on environmental remediation and reconstruction works in Bodija and surrounding areas.
The January 2024 Bodija explosion, caused by the illegal storage of explosives, claimed several lives, destroyed properties and displaced residents, prompting nationwide outrage and calls for accountability.