The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has sparked widespread controversy following the appointment of 32 new Permanent Secretaries, including the embattled Board Secretary of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Dr. Abike Bayo-Ilawole.
Ilawole’s elevation comes despite unresolved allegations of serious financial misconduct, including the alleged diversion of ₦463million from OSOPADEC funds into private bank accounts, according to leaked documents obtained by SaharaReporters.
SaharaReporters had reported that OSOPADEC was thrown into crisis after documents surfaced allegedly linking senior officials to the transfer of more than ₦463million from the commission’s project funds to personal accounts, including that of the commission secretary’s father.
Documents obtained show a pattern of suspicious transactions from OSOPADEC’s capital account (No. 0066933017), domiciled at Sterling Bank Limited.
The bank statement, issued and signed by the Head of Branch, Sterling Bank, Marina, Lagos, in August 2025, details large inflows and outflows from funds designated for capital projects.
At the centre of the allegations is a formal query issued by the OSOPADEC Chairman, Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, to Ilawole in her capacity as commission secretary.
In the query, Poroye accused her of authorising payments from the commission’s capital account into private accounts without due process.
“You would recall that on the 9th of July, 2025, a memo issued from my office required that your office should give explanations on why funds from the Commission’s capital account in Sterling Bank meant for the execution of specific projects should be paid into individual/private accounts,” the query read.
The chairman further faulted the explanation that the transactions were “direct labour” payments, describing the justification as inadequate and suggestive of fraud.
“Up till now, you did not deem it fit to formally explain why such financial irregularities, that can occasion suspicion of fraudulent dealings, happened under your watch,” the letter stated.
According to the query, the payments included ₦311,270,527 paid to Engr. Bunmi Filani; ₦141,288,541.43 to Engr. Dare Oretan; and ₦10,504,539.87 to Mr. Andrew Kolawole Ikuesan — bringing the total to ₦463,063,539.82.
Investigations revealed that Ikuesan is Ilawole’s father. He is also identified as His Royal Majesty, Oba Andrew Kolawole Ikuesan, the traditional ruler of Obe-Nla Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The scandal has been further complicated by claims of internal power struggles within OSOPADEC.
An anonymous director at the commission alleged that the controversy is being driven by individuals opposed to Poroye’s appointment as chairman by Governor Aiyedatiwa in June 2025.
According to the director, a “powerful individual” within the commission allegedly attempted to mislead the public through another media platform to protect entrenched interests and downplay what he described as “the rot” that existed before Poroye assumed office.
Responding to allegations that the chairman authorised a suspicious ₦90 million payment to unknown beneficiaries shortly after a change in bank signatories, the director dismissed the claim as false.
“At no point was any payment concealed, masked, or executed outside approved financial protocols. Any suggestion to the contrary is reckless and demonstrably false,” the source said.
The director explained that the board adopted a new operational organogram and restructured the signatory framework to improve efficiency and accountability. He said the names listed in the payment schedule were officially submitted to the chairman by the commission’s secretary as part of transition documents inherited by the new board.
“Every action taken by the chairman was a direct implementation of collective board resolutions, not personal discretion,” the source added.
The director further claimed that the chairman merely reversed a “sole signatory template fraudulently created” before his appointment, arguing that the arrangement had paralysed operations and delayed staff salaries.
“Since taking office, the new board has prioritised staff welfare, restored confidence in institutional processes, and accelerated approvals for developmental interventions,” he said, insisting there was no breach of law or hidden agenda.
SaharaReporters had also reported that OSOPADEC under Poroye was facing allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and internal discord.
Investigations showed that a board resolution dated January 27, 2026, approved the retirement of the former Director of Accounts and a reorganisation of bank signatories. The resolution designated the Secretary/Director of Accounts and the Director of Administration and Supplies/Deputy Director of Accounts as authorised signatories.
However, a separate letter from the chairman to Memphis Bank Plc reportedly listed himself, the Director, and the Deputy Director as signatories. Within 48 hours of the change, ₦90 million was allegedly disbursed to unknown beneficiaries, raising fresh concerns over transparency and due process
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Ilawole, OSOPADEC management, and the Ondo State Government have remained silent. No official denial, clarification, or announcement of an investigation has been made.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s approval of the appointments was announced in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary on Monday. The statement simply listed the names of the new Permanent Secretaries, without addressing the allegations against Ilawole.
Her inclusion has triggered outrage across Ondo State, with people describing the appointment as a blatant endorsement of impunity.
OSOPADEC, created to drive socio-economic development in Ondo State’s oil-producing communities, has for years been dogged by accusations of financial recklessness, opaque contract awards, and persistent internal crises.
Source: SaharaReporters except headline