BREAKING: Nigeria Police Summon Ex-Ogulagha Chairman Over Alleged Diversion Of Billions Meant For Host Community Development

The Nigeria Police Force has invited a former Chairman of the Ogulagha Community, John Babapere, popularly known as “John Bull,” for questioning over allegations bordering on the diversion, misappropriation, and mismanagement of funds belonging to the Ogulagha Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), funds intended for the development and welfare of the Ogulagha Kingdom in Delta State.

The invitation follows growing concerns and allegations by members of the Ogulagha Kingdom regarding the management of billions of naira and millions of dollars reportedly remitted to the Host Community Development Trust under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Sources familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that the controversy centres on funds received by the Ogulagha HCDT from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), now operating as Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, as part of the statutory Host Community Development Trust contributions.

According to documents seen by SaharaReporters, the Inspector-General of Police acknowledged a petition dated April 26, 2026, titled: “Petition of Criminal Breach of Trust, Criminal Breach of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Diversion of Community Public Funds Against One Catherine Uju Ifejika and John Babapere A.K.A John Bull.”

The petition accuses Catherine Uju Ifejika, as the owner of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited and current owner of the Ajapa Marginal Field oil asset, and John Babapere, the immediate past Chairman of the Ogulagha Community who left office approximately five months ago, of involvement in the management and diversion of community funds.

According to the petition, between 2022 and 2025, the Ogulagha Host Community Development Trust allegedly received approximately ₦3.167 billion and an additional US$4.173 million from the statutory three percent Host Community Development Trust allocation derived from petroleum production revenues.

Under the Host Community Development Trust framework established by the Petroleum Industry Act, 75 percent of such funds are expected to be dedicated to community development projects, 20 percent reserved for investment and contingency purposes, while five percent is earmarked for administrative expenses.

However, community members stated that despite the substantial inflow of funds, little or no commensurate development has taken place within the kingdom.

Videos and photographs obtained by SaharaReporters reportedly show dilapidated school buildings, poor road infrastructure, and what residents describe as a lack of visible developmental projects in several parts of the host community.

A source from the community told SaharaReporters that many residents are questioning how the funds have been utilised.

“There are serious concerns among community members that substantial portions of the funds received by the Host Community Development Trust have not been utilised for meaningful developmental projects within the kingdom,” the source said.

“Instead, the funds have been diverted for the personal benefit of certain individuals, including members of the traditional leadership structure and some of their associates.”

The source further noted that transparency and accountability mechanisms expected under the Trust structure have been largely absent.

According to the allegations, community members are demanding explanations regarding: “The alleged lack of transparency and accountability in the management of HCDT funds.

“The absence of visible and proportionate development projects despite significant remittances and alleged intimidation of community members who question the management of Trust funds.

“Alleged undue influence over employment opportunities, contracts, and engagements involving international oil companies operating in the area and the failure to provide regular public financial reports detailing receipts, expenditures, investments, and project implementation activities.”

Some residents further explained that only a small portion of the funds received by the Trust can be linked to visible community projects.

“Only about 25 percent of the funds can be accounted for through visible projects, while the remainder is alleged to have been diverted to private use by certain chiefs and members of their families,” one community source alleged.

Community members also expressed concerns regarding the investment component of the Trust funds.

According to the sources, the 20 percent investment allocation is allegedly generating multimillion-dollar returns annually, but there is little publicly available information regarding how those investments are managed or how proceeds are being utilised.

Particular allegations have also been directed at the traditional leadership structure of the kingdom.

Some community members explained that the Paramount Ruler of Ogulagha Kingdom, Captain Joseph Timiyan, and members of his cabinet exercise significant influence over employment opportunities, contract awards, and community engagements involving international oil companies operating in the area.

Sources noted that community members who challenge decisions or question the management of Trust funds often face intimidation and, in some cases, the loss of employment opportunities.

One source claimed that approvals and recommendations from the traditional leadership are often required before community members can secure opportunities with oil companies operating in the area.

“Without the recommendation and approval of the paramount ruler, many international oil companies operating in the area will not honour requests or engage with indigenous people of the Ogulagha Kingdom,” the source alleged.

Community members also raised concerns about the calculation and remittance of the statutory three percent Host Community Development Trust allocation required under the Petroleum Industry Act.

According to the allegations, remittance amounts appear to be determined largely at the discretion of the operating company, leading to questions regarding whether the community is receiving the full amount due under the law.

Some residents stated that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the operating company have failed to provide sufficient transparency regarding the computation of the three percent allocation.

Residents further lamented that despite the billions of naira and millions of dollars reportedly received by the Trust, much of the Ogulagha Kingdom remains underdeveloped.

According to community members, schools remain in poor condition, roads are in a deplorable state, and many residents continue to lack access to basic infrastructure expected in a major oil-producing host community.

They also expressed fears of reprisals against individuals who speak publicly about the management of Trust funds.

“The people of Ogulagha deserve transparency, accountability, and equitable development from funds specifically established for their benefit,” a community leader said.

“We request that the appropriate anti-corruption agencies, regulatory bodies, and oversight institutions conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of all Host Community Development Trust accounts, investments, expenditures, contracts, and projects from 2022 to date.”

The community members further called for any individual found culpable after due investigation to be held accountable under the law.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has formally invited John Babapere in connection with the ongoing investigation.

In a letter dated June 4, 2026, with Reference Number FR:3000/FID/IRT/ABJ/ADM/VOL.9/534, issued through the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Intelligence Department, Abuja, the former community chairman was directed to appear before investigators.

The invitation letter was signed by DCP Adamu S. Mu’azu, Commander, Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

The letter reads in part: “This office is inviting you to come in person and clarify some information over an ongoing investigation.

“In view of the above, you are to interview the undersigned on Thursday, 11th June, 2026, by 10:00hrs prompt at IRT Complex, Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja.

“On arrival, you are to report to CSP Ezemba Ezekiel and Team.

“Please be informed that this is a fact-finding exercise in the interest of justice and fairness in line with the provisions of Section 53(2)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.”

The police invitation comes amid increasing demands by community members for a full investigation into the management of Host Community Development Trust funds and growing calls for transparency regarding billions of naira and millions of dollars allegedly received on behalf of the Ogulagha Kingdom.