Group Petitions EFCC Over Alleged Looting Linked to Ex-Badagry West Chairman

Group Petitions EFCC Over Alleged Looting Linked to Ex-Badagry West Chairman

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

A civic organisation, Integrity Youths of Badagry West, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what it describes as large-scale looting, misappropriation of public funds and unlawful acquisition of properties allegedly linked to the Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Hennugbe Joseph Gbenu.

A stamped acknowledgement issued by the EFCC on May 7, 2025, at 11:25 a.m., confirmed receipt of the petition, which was originally dated May 1 and addressed to the Department of State Services before being forwarded to the anti-graft agency.

In the petition signed by the group’s President, Ibraheem Semako, the organisation accuses the council boss, now in his second term since July 27, 2021, of running the LCDA “like a private estate,” alleging that governance has collapsed under what it calls an idle and opaque leadership style.

Despite billions of naira in statutory allocations released to the LCDA between 2021 and 2025, the petition claims that only three notable projects can be traced to the administration: a six-classroom block at Emuko Primary School, a maternity centre at Boglo, and a new administrative block at the council headquarters in Kankon.

According to the petitioners, no new road projects, water supply schemes, rural electrification works or social welfare programmes have been initiated in the last four years. They describe the state of development in the LCDA as “pathetic” and inconsistent with the volume of funds received.

The petition lists several properties allegedly acquired by Hon. Gbenu during his tenure and claims they were financed with diverted council funds. Among the assets cited are three fuel stations; AP Filling Station at Roundabout, Badagry; another AP Filling Station opposite Badagry Grammar School; and OLASEDO Filling Station at Iyana Iyafin along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Other alleged assets include a developing beach resort located after Sultan Beach on Seme Road, and a plot of land at Y Junction, Dokoh, reportedly valued at over ₦48 million. The group alleges that none of these properties appears in any official asset declaration, raising concerns about hidden ownership and illicit enrichment.

The petition also accuses the chairman of diverting significant portions of the LCDA’s monthly allocation to his political mentor, Hon. Hontonyon Bamgbose, allegedly to fund political battles and anti-party activities, including litigation that extended to the Supreme Court after Bamgbose lost a primary election in 2019.

Three individuals identified as Sunday Josiah (a.k.a. Achiever), Ajaneson Olajide, and Wheto Meshack are named as alleged collaborators who reportedly assist in acquiring properties, moving funds and concealing financial trails.

The group further alleges that large sums of council money are being used to sponsor the political ambition of the current Vice Chairman, Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren (Rikay), whom they claim is being positioned as a successor to prevent scrutiny of past financial dealings.

Integrity Youths of Badagry West argues that the alleged diversion of public funds has deepened poverty in the area, deprived residents of essential services and contributed to avoidable hardship and loss of lives due to the absence of basic social amenities.

Citing provisions of the EFCC Act, the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the Nigerian Constitution, the group calls on the anti-graft agency to launch a full-scale investigation into the allegations, conduct a forensic audit of all LCDA accounts from July 2021 to date, probe all properties linked to the chairman and prosecute anyone found culpable.

The petitioner, Mr. Semako, has also expressed readiness to provide additional documents, photographs and clarifications to investigators.

As at press time, Hon. Gbenu and the individuals named in the petition have not publicly responded. The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the petition or its next line of action.