 has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged misappropriation of $300 million (approximately ₦480 billion)){kind=link}
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged misappropriation of $300 million (approximately ₦480 billion) allocated for development and compensation in Ogoniland.
According to MOSOP, the fund, originally secured through an out-of-court settlement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), was intended to finance infrastructure and support projects for the Ogoni people.
However, the group claims the money has been siphoned off by certain influential Ogoni elites in collaboration with political actors in Rivers State.
Speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the situation as a “deliberate act of injustice” against Ogoni communities, accusing those involved of betraying their people.
Nsuke expressed deep frustration over the lack of government response, despite growing public concern.
He insisted that the federal government must initiate an independent inquiry to trace the missing funds and recover them for the benefit of the region.
“We have every reason to believe that the $300 million was divided among a few individuals,” he said.
“It is unacceptable that while Ogoni communities are still grappling with poor roads, lack of electricity, and clean water, money meant to address these problems is being diverted. There must be transparency.”
He added that although he was initially skeptical about the reports of missing funds, mounting evidence now requires urgent attention and action from the government.
“The federal government’s silence only worsens the situation. If we are truly committed to resolving the Ogoni crisis, then this matter cannot be ignored,” Nsuke said.
“That fund could have transformed our communities and paved the way for long-term peace.”
He stressed that recovering and properly utilizing the funds would have helped address some of the longstanding challenges in Ogoniland, and potentially moved the region closer to resolving its decades-old oil-related tensions.
“This is not just a case of financial misconduct,” Nsuke added. “It is a missed opportunity for justice and healing in a community that has already suffered so much.”
Calling for urgent government intervention, he noted that the Ogoni people are fully aware of the allocation and are demanding answers.
“People cannot embezzle $300 million meant for public development and expect silence. Ogonis know the money was released. It was meant to bring water, education, power, and economic empowerment. We can’t allow such theft to go unpunished.”
Nsuke also urged for reforms to ensure such mismanagement does not happen again and called on the Nigerian government to prioritize justice for Ogoni land.
“We’ve endured years of exploitation and neglect. It’s time the government stood with us in demanding accountability. This must not be swept under the carpet,” he said.