The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) is currently embroiled in financial scandal as the commission’s Secretary, Mrs Abike Bayo-Ilawole allegedly diverted the sum of N463 million from project accounts to personal accounts.
Leaked documents by some aggrieved staff of the commission revealed that part of the money was warehoused in personal accounts of some senior staff members.
Incriminating evidence, including a bank statement from the Commission’s capital account number 0066933017 at Sterling Bank.
The document issued on August 2025, revealed significant cash inflows and outflows, raising concerns about the management of funds meant for specific projects in the intervention agency.
In addition is a query issued by the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Biyi Poroye, which accused the Secretary, Mrs Abike Bayo-Ilawole, of diverting funds to the accounts of some staff members.
“You will recall that on the 9th of July 2025, a memo issued from my office required that your office should give an explanation why funds from the commission’s capital account meant for the execution of specific projects should be paid into individual/private accounts.
”Some amongst them are officers of the commission who are supposed to supervise such projects. However, up till now, you did not deem it fit to formally explain why such financial irregularities that can occasion the suspicion of fraudulent dealings happened under your watch.
“Rather, it was gathered from the blues that the concerned officers and your good self claimed that those were direct labour transactions. As if that had explained away or justified the payment of the funds meant for project execution into private accounts without due process. For the avoidance of doubt , the particular of such expenditures are below,“ the query stated.
The query detailed payments to individuals accounts, including:
Engr. Bunmi Filani = N311,270,527.00
Engr. Dare Oretan = N141,288,541.43
Mr. Andrew Kolawole Ikuesan = N10,504,539.87
Total: N463,063,539.82
Thefrontrank reports that Mrs Abike Bayo-Ilawole is the daughter of His Royal Majesty Oba Andrew Ikuesan, the traditional ruler of Obe-Nla Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa hails from Obe-Nla community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the allegations have been further complicated by reports of internal power struggles within OSOPADEC.
A director in the commission stated that the accusations stem from individuals unhappy with Prince Poroye’s appointment as chairman by Aiyedatiwa in June 2025.
Competence source told Thefrontrank that due to the allegations rocking the commission, staff were yet to be paid their January salary.
Efforts by Thefrontrank to reach Mrs Abike Bayo-Ilawole for reactions were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
