Recall that Starnews NG reported on February 3, 2026 that the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) is currently embroiled in a scandal following leaked documents alleging financial impropriety involving the diversion of N463 million from project accounts to personal accounts, including those of the Commission’s Secretary’s father and two staff members.
The report indicated that workers within OSOPADEC have released incriminating evidence, including a bank statement from the Commission’s capital account, Number 0066933017, at Sterling Bank Limited. This statement, issued and signed by the Head of Branch in Marina, Lagos, in August 2025, revealed significant cash inflows and outflows, raising concerns about the management of funds meant for specific projects.
In a leaked query, the OSOPADEC chairman Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, had accused the Secretary, Mrs. Abike Bayo-Ilawole, of diverting funds to her father’s account and the accounts of two other staff members.
The query details payments to individuals, 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.
Responding to these allegations, OSOPADEC Secretary Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole issued a statement on Thursday to address the media reports and insinuations regarding the supposed misappropriation of ₦400 million.
In her statement, she emphasised her commitment to adhering to the regulatory frameworks established by the Government of Ondo State in her role as Secretary of the Commission.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole stated, “By virtue of my position as the most senior civil servant involved in OSOPADEC activities, I consider it improper to engage in media propaganda, conjecture, or malicious publications that are clearly far from the truth.
“Let me state, clearly and unequivocally, that I will continue to strictly adhere to the procedures and regulatory framework laid down by the Government of Ondo State in the discharge of my duties.
I will not, under any circumstance, compromise the law guiding the operations of the Commission.
I will not be drawn into distractions or public exchanges over baseless allegations.
“Where anyone has a genuine grievance or contrary position, the appropriate and lawful avenue remains due process, not trial by media. My resolve remains firm: I will act within the confines of the law,
I will stand by the Government of Ondo State,
I will not compromise my career for any pot of porridge in any manner and I will ensure that the Commission faithfully achieves the purpose for which it was established. That is my position, and I stand by it” she concluded.
Leave a Reply