Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula & the paramount ruler Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has dissolved Ife Development Board with immediate effect. This development was officially announced Monday evening through a Press Statement by the Ooni’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare directing President of the Board Comrade to hand over to the palace’s Traditional Secretary, Comrade Idowu Salami to see to the interim administration of the board pending when the board will reconstituted as soon as possible.

Otunba Olafare who backed his action with a letter of board dissolution personally signed by the Ooni, dated 26th, April 2024 and earlier today Monday morning served on the president of the board, Comrade Lawrence Awowoyin wherein the monarch expressed gratitude to members of the dissolved board for their dedication and commitment creditably displayed through service well rendered to the best of their abilities in the last five years.

“Even though it has become imperative for His Majesty the Arole Oodua to dissolve this current board in the best interest of Ife development, may I assure the affected stakeholders of the Ooni’s best regards as Ooni Ogunwusi acknowledges the invaluable contributions of the outgoing board members, recognizing their tireless efforts in fostering progress and prosperity within the community. Also in the letter, His Majesty has extended his appreciation for their service, highlighting their hard work and dedication as catalysts for positive change in Ile-Ife.” Olafare said.

“Let it be added that, as the Ife Development Board(IDB) is dissolved today, Ooni Ogunwusi has directed the outgoing board members in his letter to them to hand over all documents and other belongings of the board to the Palace Traditional Secretary pending the constitution of a new board. This transitional phase reflects the Ooni’s commitment to ensuring seamless continuity in governance while preparing for the appointment of a fresh team of leaders to drive the cradle city’s development agenda forward.” Olafare added.

Otunba Olafare described the dissolution of the Ife Development Board as positive signal of a new chapter in the journey of Ile-Ife, characterized by renewed vigor and steadfast commitment to progress under the enlightened leadership of Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR,Ojaja II who highly respects the intensified inundations from indigenes of Ile-Ife both home and abroad.

According to him, the Ooni is very much aware that the ancient city looks towards the future, and that anticipation mounts for the establishment of a new board that will build upon the achievements of its predecessors and steer Ile-Ife towards greater heights of prosperity and excellence assuring that the Africa foremost monarch is already in broad consultations with a view to constituting a new board on the Square Peg-Square Hole principle.

In the concluding part of the Press Statement, The Ooni’s Media Director; Olafare said for transparency and accountability, the account of the board shall be subjected to professional auditors for a smooth take off of the new board.

President and other members of the just dissolved board were inaugurated in 2018 for a tenure of 3 years and re inaugurated in the year 2021 for a second term of another 3 years which is expected to terminate in 6 months time before it was announced today to have been dissolved by the Ooni.

The EFCC Chairman said made a direct phone call to the former governor out of respect, urging him to appear before the commission and address the charges. Unfortunately, the former governor declined the invitation.

Governor Yahaya Bello has alleged to summoned the EFCC to make an appearance in his village.

The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, stated that the ex-governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, removed $720,000 from the state’s official account and transferred it to a Bureau de Change agent in order to prepay his child’s school tuition fees.

Olukoyede highlighted the importance of Nigerians supporting the EFCC for its success, emphasizing that the agency’s failure would reflect negatively on Nigeria. He pointed out that the ongoing efforts have positively impacted the value of the Naira and the foreign market.

Plea Bargain of $21Billion USD Refund from a former Presidential Aide to EFCC, Minister on the Cards

Close allies of former President Muhammadu Buhari who served in his administration as ministers, and aides have come under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged multi-billion naira fraud allegations.

The EFCC, Saturday Sun has gathered, is zeroing in on key ones who have been on the anti-graft agency’s watch list for multiple allegations.

Some of the top ministers including a former finance Minister under the EFCC radar, are believed to have fled the country to evade arrest and possible prosecution by the EFCC.

According to top EFCC sources, former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Zainab Ahmed and their counterpart, who served as minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, are among top former ministers being trailed by the EFCC.

The two ministers were among the most powerful during Buhari’s reign and were named in many multi-billion naira cases while they were in office.

Reports say there is a plea Bargain for Tunde Sabiu and Malami and Zainab Ahmed may refund over N21 Billion to EFCC