HEDA Resource Centre has petitioned the EFCC to investigate Governor Dapo Abiodun’s “alleged fraudulent misrepresentation of a private rice farm as a World Bank-assisted project under the Ogun State Government.”

HEDA, which called for Mr Abiodun’s prosecution if found culpable, predicated the petition on a Peoples Gazette report that on September 12 detailed how Bello Zabarmawa, a young farmer and special adviser to Kebbi Governor, said he was the owner of the rice plantation that Mr Abiodun paraded as a state project supported by the World Bank.

According to Mr Zabarmawa, the Ogun government only assisted with 50 per cent of the clearing cost and purchase of fertilisers for the land, leaving him to sort the remaining bills. 

Mr Zabarmawa further claimed he was responsible for the daily payment of labourers hired to work on the farm without any input from the governor.

However, as soon as the rice was ready to be harvested, the governor, alongside his photographers and team, visited the plantation and gave a speech, commending the World Bank and the Ogun State Economic Development Project (OGSTEP) for actualising the project.

In all of Mr Abiodun’s bluster, there was no statement suggesting that the rice plantation might belong to Mr Zabarmawa, with whom the government was allegedly splitting fertiliser and land-clearing costs.

In a statement on Sunday, HEDA chair Olanrewaju Suraj stressed that Mr Abiodun’s “alleged misinformation” stirred concerns that the World Bank funds and other public resources meant for agricultural development were being diverted for personal gain.

“Nigeria has endured too many years of poor governance and corruption at the hands of leaders who prioritise personal enrichment over the welfare of citizens,” Mr Suraj said. “HEDA remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance across all levels of government, and it calls on the EFCC to act swiftly in addressing this serious issue.”

The rights group urged the anti-graft commission to investigate Mr Abiodun’s alleged misrepresentation and potential diversion of funds.

“HEDA insists that Governor Abiodun and any other individuals involved must be held accountable and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement said.