LNRBDA Boss Accuses Union Leader of Sabotaging Probe Over Alleged Financial Misconduct
KEHINDE AKINPELU, ILORIN
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), Engr. Olushola George Olumoroti, has accused a senior union leader in the agency, Mr. Mudi Olayinka Raji, of masterminding a violent disturbance at the authority in an attempt to frustrate an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and misconduct.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday Olumoroti alleged that the unrest, which reportedly disrupted official activities and led to attacks on staff members, was orchestrated to stop a committee set up to investigate claims by Raji that evidence against him was forged.
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The LNRBDA boss explained that shortly after assuming office in April 2025, he reviewed records and reports handed over to him, including disciplinary cases involving some staff members.
According to him, one of the major cases involved allegations against Raji, a former Ilorin Area Manager and current Kwara State Chairman of the National Association of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NAAE).
Olumoroti alleged that Raji was investigated over claims bordering on diversion of government revenue, collection of unretired IOUs and authorising financial transactions involving his wife, who is not an employee of the authority.
“The former MD had set up a disciplinary committee to investigate acts of gross misconduct bordering on collection and non-remittance of revenue to government against Mr. Mudi Olayinka Raji,” he said.
“Some of the allegations apart from diverting government revenues include taking IOUs on behalf of the office under different guises all in a bid to siphon the authority’s funds and refusing to retire the IOUs.”
The MD stated that three separate disciplinary panels reportedly found Raji and four others guilty of misconduct and recommended sanctions, including refund of unaccounted funds.
He added that Raji was initially recommended for dismissal over alleged violation of public service rules and corrupt practices before the Ministry of Water Resources later reduced the punishment to a warning letter and undertaking of good behaviour after appeals for leniency.
Olumoroti said while other affected staff members complied with the conditions and returned to work peacefully, Raji rejected the decision and petitioned the minister, insisting that evidence used against him had been fabricated.
He disclosed that following the petition, the minister directed the authority to constitute another panel to verify the authenticity of the allegations raised by the union leader.
“I complied with the instruction of the minister and inaugurated the committee last Wednesday,” he said.
The LNRBDA chief, however, alleged that the protest and barricade mounted at the authority’s premises were deliberate attempts to halt the fresh investigation.
“This action of causing commotion and barricading the gate, disturbing peaceful conduct of government business and assaulting other staff is a ploy to force government to swallow its own rule,” Olumoroti declared.
“It is a case of corruption fighting back.”
He further accused Raji of mobilising members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and NAAE within the agency to prevent workers from accessing their offices.
According to him, only about 12 per cent of the authority’s workforce belongs to the unions involved in the protest.
Olumoroti also alleged that three staff members were injured during the disturbance, with some reportedly hospitalised following attacks with dangerous weapons.
“Three staff members were assaulted with dangerous weapons, three are currently hospitalised while one person sustained a serious cut on his head,” he said.
The MD maintained that while workers have the constitutional right to belong to unions, acts of violence and intimidation against other employees would not be tolerated.
He added that the authority had documented the incidents and would pursue necessary legal action against those responsible.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 11TH 2026)
