Naija Lives Matter Organization Files 21 Allegations OF Fraud, Crime and Mismanagement Against Gov Dapo Abiodun Of Ogun State …. Demands Full and Transparent For Investigation By EFCC, ICPC, Ogun State State Assembly And The People Of Ogun State
From: Naija Lives Matter Organization NGO & Make Nigeria Great Again (MANGA) Initiative
Dear Governor Dapo Abiodun,
Dear People of Ogun State,
Dear Nigerians Committed to Justice and Nation-Building,
As Founder of Naija Lives Matter Organization [NLM] and the convener of the Make Nigeria Great Again (MANGA) initiative, I write this letter on behalf of our organization as part of our national campaign to Federalize Accountability and Decentralize Responsibility in our states and local governments. One of our key pillars is the #HoldYourGov Campaign, where we urge citizens to stop obsessing only about Abuja and instead turn the lens of scrutiny toward those who manage their everyday realities—Governors, LG Chairmen, and State Assemblies.
And since I, Dr. Ope Banwo, the Founder of this movement, hail from Ogun State, it is only right—indeed, necessary—that charity begins at home as i have been urged by many members of the executive of our orgazniation.
After the 2023 elections, Myself and my organizations decided at our board meeting that we shall no longer be aligned with any party or political aspirant. We will only be aligned with what is good for Nigeria and our states and local governments. So this is not politicking at all. I am not a politician and do not intend ot ever contest for any election in Nigeria.
This call to accountability is a moral, civic, and patriotic obligation to highlight serious and recurring allegations of fraud, certificate forgery, electoral manipulation, and abuse of public trust linked to your administration.
Preliminary Findings By Naija Lives Matter Investigators On THE Situation in Ogun State, Awaiting Forensic Verification:
Let it be clear that the Naija Lives Matter Investigative Unit, along with our Legal Review Committee, is still conducting a forensic audit of all these allegations. We are not automatically concluding that everything alleged is already proved. As I promised in my previous broadcast, This letter is based on preliminary findings from publicly available reports, sworn affidavits, and investigative journalism by our team and others we are not even aligned with.
We will distinguish between:
- Morally troubling actions,
- Politically questionable decisions, and
- Legally actionable crimes—in accordance with Nigerian constitutional and criminal law.
But even at this early stage, the weight and number of allegations demand public attention and transparency. The people of Ogun State deserve answers—not propaganda. So we are formally and publicly calling on Prince Dapo Abiodun as our Governor to respond accordingly.
Hopefully he will see this as a genuine call to accountability by a responsible organization that has been around for more than 15 years and not resort to the usual tactics of having all of us picked up and marched to jail. Either way we assure him and his supporters truth can no longer be silenced by any high-handed state responses.
Summary Of The 21 Most Serious Damning Allegations That We Are Going To Insist On Investigating Through The State House, EFCC And Private Initiative Over The Next Few Months:
1. 1986 U.S. Arrest for Credit Card Fraud
- Summary: Governor Abiodun was reportedly arrested in Miami, Florida, in 1986 under the alias “Shawn Michael Davids” for offenses including credit card fraud, petty theft, and check forgery.
- Why It’s Troubling: This raises concerns about past criminal conduct and the lack of transparency in disclosing such history during political campaigns and why leaders with this kind of records should not be leading our state locally or nationally..
- Source: Sahara Reportershttps://saharareporters.com/2022/03/25/exclusive-how-ogun-governor-dapo-abiodun-was-jailed-credit-card-fraud-florida-usahttps://saharareporters.com/2022/04/27/ogun-governor-abiodun-confirms-he-was-arrested-fraud-usa-warns-apc-party-not-disqualify
- Discrepancies in Educational Credentials
- Summary: There are allegations that Governor Abiodun presented conflicting information regarding his academic qualifications, particularly concerning his WAEC certificate.
- Why It’s Troubling: Inconsistencies in academic records can undermine public trust and question the legitimacy of his qualifications for office.
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria
- Non-Participation in NYSC
- Summary: Governor Abiodun did not participate in the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, leading to legal debates about his eligibility for public office.
- Why It’s Troubling: Non-compliance with national service requirements may reflect a disregard for civic duties and legal obligations.
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria
- Undeclared Offshore Assets (Pandora Papers)
- Summary: Investigations revealed that Governor Abiodun is linked to offshore companies and foreign accounts not declared in his asset disclosures.
- Why It’s Troubling: Holding undisclosed offshore assets can indicate potential tax evasion and conflicts of interest.
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria
PANDORA PAPERS: Inside Governor Dapo Abiodun’s secret businesses, foreign account
- Fraudulent APC Primary in Anambra
- Summary: As chairman of the APC primary election committee in Anambra, Governor Abiodun was involved in a controversial primary where the declared winner was alleged to have emerged through fraudulent means.
- Why It’s Troubling: Participation in electoral malpractice undermines democratic processes and the integrity of political institutions.
- Source: Sahara Reporters
https://saharareporters.com/2021/12/20/high-court-exposes-dapo-abiodun-liar-and-fraud-bimbo-balogun
- Alleged Vote-Buying During Elections
- Summary: Governor Abiodun faced allegations of engaging in vote-buying during elections, though he denied these claims.
- Why It’s Troubling: Vote-buying compromises the fairness of elections and erodes public confidence in the electoral system.
- Source: The Nation Newspaper
https://punchng.com/appeal-court-affirms-dismissal-of-vote-buying-allegation-against-abiodun/
- Diversion of N214 Billion LG Funds
- Summary: Governor Abiodun was accused of mismanaging N214 billion allocated for local government development over five years.
- Why It’s Troubling: Misappropriation of such substantial funds intended for grassroots development can lead to infrastructural decay and public disservice.
- Source: Punch News
https://punchng.com/abiodun-adebutu-bicker-over-alleged-mismanagement-of-n214bn-ogun-lg-funds/
- Diversion of N10.8 Billion from LG Allocations
- Summary: The Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government accused Governor Abiodun of diverting N10.8 billion meant for local government allocations.
- Why It’s Troubling: Such actions can cripple local governance and hinder service delivery to the populace.
- Source: Punch News
https://punchng.com/efcc-quizzes-ogun-officials-over-govt-funds/
- Manipulation of JAAC Funds
- Summary: Allegations suggest that the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) funds were manipulated, affecting the financial autonomy of local governments.
- Why It’s Troubling: Interference with JAAC funds undermines the constitutional independence of local governments and can lead to mismanagement.
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria
Local governments were forced to rely on your “augmentations” with no published breakdown.
https://punchng.com/efcc-quizzes-ogun-officials-over-govt-funds/
- Inflated Chair Procurement Scandal
- Summary: A local government chairman admitted to spending N5.2 million on 20 chairs, raising questions about inflated procurement under Governor Abiodun’s administration.
- Why It’s Troubling: Inflated contracts suggest possible corruption and misuse of public funds.
- Source: Punch News
https://punchng.com/zero-allocation-ogun-lg-chair-impeached-slams-abiodun/
- Withholding of Ecological Funds
- Summary: Local governments were allegedly denied access to ecological funds and other federal entitlements under Governor Abiodun’s tenure.
- Why It’s Troubling: Denying ecological funds hampers environmental management and disaster preparedness at the local level.
- Source: Nigerian Democratic Report
https://punchng.com/just-in-dss-detains-ogun-lg-chairman-over-anti-abiodun-petition/
- Illegal Impeachment of Whistleblower
- Summary: Wale Adedayo, who accused Governor Abiodun of fund diversion, was impeached by local councilors, raising concerns about retaliation against whistleblowers.
- Why It’s Troubling: Retaliatory actions against whistleblowers can deter transparency and accountability in governance.
- Source: TheCable
- DSS and Police Intimidation of Critics
- Summary: Security agencies were allegedly used to intimidate and detain individuals who criticized Governor Abiodun, including journalists and political opponents.
- Why It’s Troubling: Using state security apparatus to suppress dissent violates fundamental human rights and democratic principles.
- Source: Sahara Reporters
https://punchng.com/just-in-dss-detains-ogun-lg-chairman-over-anti-abiodun-petition/
- Barring Journalists from Probe Hearings
- Summary: Journalists were reportedly barred from covering legislative hearings on local government fund mismanagement, limiting transparency.
- Why It’s Troubling: Restricting media access to public hearings undermines press freedom and hinders public oversight of government proceedings.
- Source: Wikipedia
https://punchng.com/just-in-dss-detains-ogun-lg-chairman-over-anti-abiodun-petition/
- Heyden Petroleum Bailout via State Funds
- Summary: Allegations suggest that state funds were used to bail out Heyden Petroleum, a company linked to Governor Abiodun, which was reportedly facing financial difficulties prior to his tenure.
- Why It’s Troubling: Using public funds to rescue a private company associated with a sitting governor raises concerns about conflict of interest and misuse of state resources.
- Source: Wikipedia
- Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta Road Cost Inflation
- Summary: The resurfacing of the Sagamu-Siun-Abeokuta road was reportedly executed at a cost of about N8 billion, significantly higher than the original construction cost of N1.5 billion.
- Why It’s Troubling: Such a substantial increase in project cost without clear justification suggests possible financial mismanagement or corruption.
- Source: Wikipedia
- Abandoned Power Project via Phantom Firm
- Summary: A power project was allegedly handed over to a non-existent company through a memorandum of understanding five years ago, with no progress made since.
- Why It’s Troubling: Entrusting public projects to unverified entities can lead to project abandonment, wastage of public funds, and unfulfilled infrastructure promises.
- Source: Wikipedia
- Community Land Resold by Private Entities Linked to Government Officials
- Summary: Lands acquired from communities were allegedly resold by private entities purportedly owned by Governor Abiodun and associates, leading to significant financial gains.
- Why It’s Troubling: Profiting from the resale of community lands by government-linked entities raises ethical concerns and potential legal violations regarding land acquisition and resale practices.
- Source: Wikipedia
- Parading Private Rice Farm as State Project
- Summary: Governor Abiodun was accused of presenting a privately-owned rice farm as a state government project, potentially misleading the public about government achievements.
- Why It’s Troubling: Misrepresenting private enterprises as government initiatives can deceive the public and misallocate credit and resources.
- Source: Wikipedia
A private rice project allegedly branded as a state achievement.
21. Agro-Cargo Airport Project: Allegations of Financial Mismanagement and Lack of Transparency
- Summary of the Issue: The Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, initiated under Governor Abiodun’s administration, was originally proposed as a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project, intending to leverage private investments. However, reports indicate that the project has been predominantly state-funded, with costs escalating from an initial estimate of approximately ₦20 billion to over ₦90 billion. Concerns have been raised regarding the absence of clear legislative appropriation for these expenditures and the project’s prolonged timeline, as it remains uncommissioned despite earlier promises.
- Why It’s Troubling and Warrants Investigation: The deviation from the BOT model to substantial state funding without transparent legislative approval raises serious questions about fiscal responsibility and governance. The significant cost overruns and delays in project completion suggest potential mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds. Investigating these issues is crucial to ensure accountability, uphold the principles of good governance, and restore public trust in the administration’s handling of large-scale infrastructure projects.
OUR DEMAND IS CLEAR
We demand:
- Immediate independent investigations by EFCC, ICPC, and CCB.
- Full public disclosure of all state financial transactions from 2019–2024.
- Ogun State Assembly to open public inquiry.
- Post-immunity prosecution if any of these allegations prove true.
TO THE PEOPLE OF OGUN STATE
You deserve better. Your silence is no longer golden. It is betrayal.
Now is the time to ask your governor the hard questions.
Now is the time to reject recycled leaders and reward only those who serve with integrity.
Dr. Ope Banwo
Convener, Naija Lives Matter
www.NaijaLivesMatter.org
