By Peter Dansu Allegations of corruption, misappropriation of public funds and poor governance have surfaced against the immediate past Cha...
By Peter Dansu
Allegations of corruption, misappropriation of public funds and poor governance have surfaced against the immediate past Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Hennugbe Joseph Gbenu, following a petition reportedly submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by a civic group, Integrity Youths of Badagry West.
According to reports published by an online platform, Exclusive News, the EFCC acknowledged receipt of the petition on May 7, 2025. The petition, dated May 1 and signed by the group’s president, Ibraheem Semako, accuses the former chairman of large scale financial misconduct, illegal acquisition of properties and what the group described as “zero development” across the LCDA between 2021 and 2025.
The petitioners allege that despite receiving billions of naira in statutory allocations over four years, the Gbenu administration executed only a handful of visible projects, leaving the council area in what they described as a deteriorated state. They further accused the former chairman of acquiring fuel stations, land and a developing beach resort within and outside Badagry, allegedly using diverted council funds.
The petition also named three individuals as alleged collaborators in the purported diversion of funds and accused Hon. Gbenu of transferring council resources to his political associate, Hon. Hontonyon Bamgbose, claims the group says weakened development and public welfare in the LCDA. It further alleged attempts to sponsor the former vice chairman as a successor in order to shield the administration from future scrutiny.
However, the allegations have drawn a firm rebuttal from Mr. Solomon Zosu, a former Senior Special Adviser on Information and Tourism under the Gbenu administration, who described the claims as misleading, politically coloured and unsupported by established facts.
In a detailed press statement made available to Badagry Today, Zosu rejected the assertion of zero development, listing numerous projects executed during Hon. Gbenu’s tenure across education, health, infrastructure, public administration, youth empowerment and social welfare. He maintained that many of the projects were completed, commissioned and verifiable across communities within Badagry West LCDA.
Among the projects cited were the construction of new classroom blocks in primary schools at Kweme, Gayingbo and Agorin Sea Beach, a modern customary court at the council secretariat, road construction and rehabilitation works, a primary health centre at Bakpo, administrative buildings at Oglogbo and Kankon, water supply interventions in public schools, electrification support for Irosu community and various youth empowerment and social support programmes.
On the corruption allegations and claims of property acquisition, Zosu stressed that the issues raised remain allegations contained in a petition and not findings established by any court or investigative authority. He noted that due process, procurement procedures and statutory oversight mechanisms were in place during the administration and warned against condemning public officials without the conclusion of investigations.
He also categorically denied claims that Hon. Hontonyon Bamgbose benefitted from diverted council funds, stating that during his time in office, he encountered no official records or transactions linking council finances to the individual named in the petition.
Zosu concluded by calling for fairness, balance and adherence to due process, arguing that development efforts should not be erased by what he termed selective reporting, and that accountability must be pursued through lawful and transparent means.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC has not publicly commented on the status of the petition or confirmed whether investigations have commenced. The allegations remain unproven, while the rebuttal from the former chairman’s aide presents a sharply contrasting account of the administration’s record.
The situation highlights the growing demand for transparency and accountability in local government administration, while underscoring the importance of allowing investigative institutions to determine facts free from political pressure or public prejudgment.
Below are some of the projects executed by the Chairman according to his former aide, Zosu Solomon
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