Leke Abejide Foundation Suspends Withdrawals from ₦20m Mopa Development Fund Over Conflicting Account Details
By Our Correspondent
The Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF) has clarified that its decision to suspend withdrawals from the ₦20 million community development empowerment fund allocated to Mopa was a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the funds amid conflicting account instructions.
The Foundation, in an official response to concerns surrounding the allocation, said the decision was taken to ensure transparency, accountability and the proper utilisation of the funds intended for development projects in Mopa Community.
According to the statement signed by the Director-General of the Foundation, the controversy arose after the Foundation initially received the account details of Mopa Welfare Society as the designated account for the community’s development allocation, only for another account to be subsequently presented for the same purpose.
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The Foundation explained that the conflicting instructions raised concerns about accountability, community representation and the appropriate management of the ₦20 million fund.
It stressed that neither the Foundation nor Hon. Leke Abejide, in his personal and political capacity, initiated or participated in any disagreement concerning the leadership or administrative structure of Mopa Community.
The statement also clarified the distinction between Hon. Abejide and the Foundation, describing the latter as a philanthropic and humanitarian organisation committed to sustainable community development, with its activities guided by developmental objectives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Foundation further maintained that it had no intention of interfering in the political, traditional, administrative or internal leadership affairs of Mopa Community.
On the role of Mopa Welfare Society, LAF acknowledged the organisation’s historical contributions to the development of the community but noted that such recognition did not give the Foundation the authority to determine the legitimate leadership or administrative structure of Mopa.
It stated that such matters remained the responsibility of the community and its recognised stakeholders.
The Foundation disclosed that it formally communicated with relevant members of Mopa Welfare Society on June 5, 2026, directing the suspension of withdrawals from the ₦20 million fund and requesting that the money be returned to its designated account pending the resolution of the conflicting account instructions.
According to the statement, the directive was not intended to undermine Mopa Welfare Society, disregard its contributions or transfer the community’s development entitlement to another association.
Rather, it was described as an administrative safeguard to protect the funds and prevent the development intervention from becoming a source of further communal disagreement.
“The ₦20,000,000 empowerment allocation was intended for the development of Mopa Community and not for the personal, political, or sectional interests of any individual or association,” the Foundation stated.
LAF emphasised that it could not proceed with the administration of the funds while uncertainty persisted over the authorised recipient and the appropriate management framework.
It therefore urged the recognised stakeholders of Mopa Community to resolve the matter through peaceful consultation and mutual understanding and agree on an acceptable account and administrative arrangement for implementing the proposed development projects.
The Foundation reiterated its neutrality in all internal political, traditional and communal disagreements in Mopa, insisting that it would not assume responsibility for resolving disputes outside its humanitarian and sustainable development mandate.
It, however, expressed its willingness to continue supporting the community’s development objectives once a clear, mutually agreed and accountable framework had been established.
The statement urged all concerned stakeholders to avoid personalising the matter, describing it fundamentally as an issue of administrative accountability and community development rather than an attempt to control the community or undermine any established institution.
LAF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sustainable development across beneficiary communities without prejudice, favouritism or interference in internal communal affairs.
The development comes amid public concerns surrounding the administration of the ₦20 million allocation to Mopa, with the Foundation maintaining that the funds would be managed in accordance with the principles of equity, accountability and sustainable development.
Details of the press statement below;
OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM LEKE ABEJIDE FOUNDATION (LAF)
RE: CLARIFICATION ON THE ₦20 MILLION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EMPOWERMENT FUND FOR MOPA COMMUNITY
The attention of the management of Leke Abejide Foundation (LAF) has been drawn to a public statement concerning the ₦20,000,000 community development empowerment fund allocated to Mopa Community.
In the interest of transparency, accountability, and peaceful coexistence, the Foundation considers it necessary to clarify certain facts and correct any misconceptions surrounding the matter.
1. *DISTINCTION BETWEEN HON. LEKE ABEJIDE AND LEKE ABEJIDE FOUNDATION*
First and foremost, it is important to establish that Hon. Leke Abejide, in his personal and political capacity, is distinct from the Leke Abejide Foundation, which operates as a philanthropic and humanitarian organisation committed to sustainable community development.
The Foundation’s activities are guided by its developmental objectives, particularly those aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Neither Hon. Leke Abejide nor the Foundation has any interest in interfering with the political, traditional, administrative, or internal leadership affairs of Mopa Community.
2. *CLARIFICATION ON THE COMMUNITY ACCOUNT DETAILS*
In the course of implementing the community development empowerment programme across Yagba Federal Constituency, the Foundation requested account details from beneficiary communities for the purpose of disbursing development funds.
In response to this request, the account details of Mopa Welfare Society were initially submitted as the designated account for Mopa Community.
However, shortly thereafter, another account was presented to the Foundation for the same community development allocation, thereby creating conflicting instructions regarding the appropriate account authorised to receive and administer the funds.
This development raised legitimate concerns about accountability, community representation, and the appropriate management of the empowerment fund.
It is important to emphasise that the Foundation did not initiate, encourage, or participate in any disagreement concerning the leadership or administrative structure of Mopa Community.
3. *FOUNDATION’S NEUTRALITY IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS*
The Leke Abejide Foundation was neither informed of nor involved in any existing communal differences, internal disagreements, or leadership disputes within Mopa Community before the conflicting account details were submitted.
The Foundation recognises and respects the historical contributions of Mopa Welfare Society to the development of Mopa Community.
However, recognition of the Society’s historical achievements does not confer upon the Foundation the responsibility or authority to determine the legitimate leadership, representation, or administrative structure of Mopa Community.
Such matters remain the exclusive responsibility of the community and its recognised stakeholders.
The Foundation will not be drawn into internal communal disputes or assume responsibility for resolving disagreements that fall outside its humanitarian and sustainable development mandate.
4. *COMMUNICATION OF 5TH JUNE 2026*
For the avoidance of doubt, the Leke Abejide Foundation formally communicated with the relevant members of Mopa Welfare Society on 5th June 2026, directing the suspension of withdrawals from the ₦20,000,000 community development empowerment fund.
The communication further requested that the funds be returned to the Foundation’s designated account pending the resolution of the conflicting account instructions.
This directive was not intended to undermine Mopa Welfare Society, disregard its historical contributions, or transfer the community’s development entitlement to another association.
Rather, it was a precautionary administrative measure designed to safeguard the funds, ensure financial accountability, and prevent the Foundation’s intervention from becoming a source of further communal disagreement.
The Foundation’s position remains that the beneficiary community should, through peaceful consultation and mutual understanding, agree on an acceptable account and administrative arrangement for the implementation of its development projects.
5. *COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT*
The ₦20,000,000 empowerment allocation was intended for the development of Mopa Community and not for the personal, political, or sectional interests of any individual or association.
The Foundation remains committed to ensuring that its interventions achieve measurable and sustainable developmental outcomes for the benefit of the people.
Consequently, the Foundation cannot reasonably be expected to proceed with the administration of community development funds where conflicting instructions create uncertainty regarding the authorised recipient or management structure.
Our position is guided strictly by the principles of accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsible stewardship of development resources.
6. *OUR POSITION AND WAY FORWARD*
The Leke Abejide Foundation therefore reiterates that:
The Foundation remains neutral in all internal political, traditional, and communal disagreements in Mopa.
The Foundation has no intention of determining which association should exercise leadership or administrative authority over Mopa Community.
The suspension of withdrawals and request for the return of funds were precautionary measures intended to protect the integrity of the empowerment programme.
The responsibility for establishing a mutually acceptable arrangement for the receipt and utilisation of the community development fund rests with the recognised stakeholders of Mopa Community.
The Foundation remains willing to support the community’s development objectives once a clear, mutually agreed, and accountable framework has been established.
7. *CONCLUSION*
We respectfully urge all concerned stakeholders to refrain from personalising what is fundamentally an issue of administrative accountability and community development.
The Foundation’s intervention should not be misconstrued as an attempt to interfere in Mopa’s internal affairs or undermine any established community institution.
The Foundation’s interest is in the development of Mopa Community, not in determining who controls Mopa Community.
We believe that sustainable development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace, unity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
The Leke Abejide Foundation remains committed to its humanitarian mandate and to supporting sustainable development across beneficiary communities without prejudice, favouritism, or interference in internal communal affairs.
God bless Mopa Community.
God bless Yagba Federal Constituency.
Signed:DG LEKE ABEJIDE FOUNDATION
LEKE ABEJIDE FOUNDATION (LAF)
Equity • Accountability • Sustainable Development
