Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a petition accusing the former Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Hennugbe Joseph Gbenu, of massive looting, abuse of office and illegal acquisition of properties during his second term in office.
An acknowledgment slip stamped by the EFCC on May 7, 2025, at 11:25 a.m. confirmed receipt of the petition submitted by Integrity Youths of Badagry West, a civic accountability group.
The petition, dated May 1 and addressed initially to the Department of State Services (DSS), was signed by the group’s President, Ibraheem Semako.
It contains detailed allegations, including property addresses, names of alleged collaborators and descriptions of financial activities the group claims have “crippled development in Badagry West LCDA since 2021.”
*Group alleges no development despite billions in allocations*
The petition alleges that Hon. Gbenu, who began his second term on July 27, 2021, ran the council in an “idle, opaque and disconnected” manner, often attending work only at his discretion and “acting like an emperor in the council secretariat.”
Despite billions of naira released to the LCDA between 2021 and 2025, the group said only three visible projects were executed under his administration:
A six-classroom block at Emuko Primary School
A maternity centre at Boglo
A new administrative block at the council headquarters in Kankon
According to the petitioners, no new roads, water facilities, electricity projects, community infrastructure or welfare programmes were provided in four years. They described the state of the LCDA as “pathetic” and inconsistent with the funds received from federal allocation.
*Ex-Chairman Linked to Fuel Stations, Beach Resort and Land Valued at ₦48m*
The organisation listed several properties allegedly acquired by Hon. Gbenu within the period, claiming they were funded with council resources. The properties include three fuel stations — AP Fuel Station at Badagry Roundabout, AP Fuel Station opposite Badagry Grammar School, and OLASEDO Fuel Station at Iyana Iyafin — as well as a developing beach resort after Sultan Beach on the Seme Road.
Also listed is a plot of land valued at more than ₦48 million at Y Junction, Dokoh, Badagry. The petition alleges that these assets were never declared in any official record, raising concerns over the legality of the acquisitions.
*Petition points to Political Godfather, 3 alleged collaborators*
The petitioners further alleged that the former chairman diverted part of the LCDA’s monthly allocation to his political mentor, Hon. Hontonyon Bamgbose, to sponsor political activities and litigations dating back to his failed 2019 primary bid.
They claimed Bamgbose “takes a large share” of the council’s finances.
Three individuals were also named as alleged collaborators assisting in funds movement and concealed property purchases.
They were identified as:
Sunday Josiah (Achiever)
Ajaneson Olajide
Wheto Meshack
*Alleged plot to install Vice Chairman as successor*
Integrity Youths of Badagry West alleged a plan by Hon. Gbenu and his associates to position the council Vice Chairman, Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren (Rikay), as his successor.
The group claimed “large sums of council money” were already being used for political mobilisation to secure Yemaren’s chairmanship bid to “cover traces of mismanagement.”
*Petitioners Claim Hardship, Call for Forensic Audit*
The group stated that alleged mismanagement of public resources had deprived residents of basic amenities, contributing to hardship and avoidable deaths.
They argued that the actions outlined in the petition violate the EFCC Act, the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the Nigerian Constitution.
They requested a full EFCC investigation, an independent forensic audit of all LCDA accounts from July 2021 to date, and a probe of all properties linked to the former chairman. The petitioners also demanded prosecution of anyone found culpable.
Mr. Semako expressed readiness to provide additional evidence, photographs and clarifications to aid investigation.
As at press time, Hon. Gbenu and those named in the petition had not issued any public response. The EFCC has also not released any statement on the petition.
