Community Accuses Chevron Staffers, Dan Agbofode, Tunji Idowu Of N126m Fund Diversion Fraud

…petitions police IG

Two staffers of Oil firm, Chevron Nigeria Limited stand accused of diversion of N126m fund meant for the development of a host community.

The individuals are identified as Messrs Tunji Idowu and Dan Agbofode.

The accusation(s) against them is made by leadership of Ugboland Community.

Information made available revealed the situation is such that the attention of the office of the Inspector General of Police, M.D Abubarkar has been brought into the development.

The community had written a December 5 2013 petition to the office of the Inspector General of Police.

The petition was signed by eight major stakeholders in the area namely High Chief John Fagbiye (the Ajagajigi of Ugboland), Chief Oyetomi Andrew ( Chairman, Ugbo council of Baales), Chief Abayomi Asunmaga ( secretary, Ugbo Council of Baales), High Chief – prince- Adeboye Omoderu (liha of Ugboland/ palace rep), Obazuaye Eniyansoro (chairman, AICECUN). Prince Adesoji Aladetan ( Vice Chairman, AICECUM), Prince Felix Emayero ( Palace Representatives)

They are operating under the identity AICEUM ( Actual Indigeneous Concessional Eight- United Ultimate Major), described as ‘ the only joint and supreme body of all stake holders in Ugboland community Oil and Gas matter- with approval from the Ondo state government and traditional council.

The petition is titled “ Petition Against Tunji Idowu and Dan Agbofode of Chevron Nigeria Limited For Criminal diversion of N126m Ugboland Community Funds, Fraudulent Diversion of Community Projects and Conspiracy With Proscribed / Unapproved Groups to divert contract meant for the people of the community and assault on the Members of AICECUM’.

The petition revealed ‘ the foundation of the crisis at hand is that Tunji Idowu and Dan Agbofode refused to release Chevron Nigeria Limited allotted funds belonging to Ugboland for 2011 and 2013. when asked to produce the funds, they claimed that they invested the funds on behalf of the communities which were not in the knowledge of the community or members of AICECUM committee. When the committee members asked for the funds, Tunji Idowu and Dan Agbofode began threats to their lives. Several threat phone calls have been received by the committee members aside gang attacks at several places sponsored by their group.

Special references were made to the case of Mr Obazuaye Eniyansoro, Chairman of AICECUM.

The petition claimed at a point Ondo state police headquarter was brought into the picture, the state police hierarchy advised that the duo ‘they return community fund for peace to reign’

Military officials in Benin, Okitipupa, Akure and others places alleged drafted in by the accused to foster their will on the community have reportedly adopted the same attitude as the state police command in the matter.

The petition however alleged despite these hands – off and urgings from brought in authorities at their instance, the duo continue to ‘move to defy the advice’.

The community leaders cited one of the manners being utilized as stoppage of entitlements due Mr Eniyansoro as Chairman pf AICECUM under Awarise Nigeria Limited ( Director: Mr Godwin Ebosan) in the Chevron AGO Consortium – against agreements- as a punishment of sort for being against them.

As a result of the festering crisis and increasing tension and alleged persecution, the Oil firm, Chevron’s image is in tatters in that part of town. And claims one of the major steps to redress the situation is to stop representation by the duo of Agbofode and Idowu, because ‘Ugboland has cast a vote of no confidence’ on them.

The other is refund of the diverted N126M community fund and payment of all entitlements due by Eniyansoro amidst other demands.

The petition expressly urged the office of the Inspector General of Police to clinically investigate the matter and help achieve stated objectives in bringing peace back to the restive community.