The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-Safe Corps, has evacuated an abandoned motorcycle in Kajola Town, Idiroko, and handed it over to the police for investigation.

The motorcycle, a blue Honda with registration number AYE 253 VX, was first reported to the corps on Thursday, August 14, 2025, by the Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Kajola Community, Ogosa Town.

According to a statement issued by the corps commander, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, and released through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, the alert came in at about 5:13 p.m.

Handed over to police for investigation

Following the call, the Divisional Officer of Idiroko Division, CSC Abdulkareem Abdulrazaq, and his team moved swiftly to the scene to secure the motorcycle.

Dr. Ganzallo explained that preliminary checks and inquiries did not reveal the identity of the owner or the reason the motorcycle was abandoned. The motorbike was subsequently transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Idiroko Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation.

Community vigilance commended

The state commander praised the community’s quick response and its collaboration with the corps in reporting the suspicious motorcycle.

In his words:

“This is a commendable step and a clear signal of residents’ active involvement in community policing. I encourage members of the public to always report any suspicious activity to security agencies for prompt action.”

Why this matters

The So-Safe Corps, which operates as a grassroots security outfit in Ogun State, has been working to strengthen collaboration between communities and security agencies. This latest action highlights the importance of residents’ vigilance in preventing potential threats.

Security experts note that abandoned vehicles and motorcycles are sometimes linked to crime or used as tools for criminal activities, making quick evacuation and investigation critical.

About So-Safe Corps

The So-Safe Corps was established by the Ogun State government to support law enforcement agencies, promote public safety, and encourage community participation in security. The corps often partners with residents’ associations to detect and address security concerns.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over N5 billion and $10 million from contractors and officials implicated in the failed turnaround maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri.

According to reliable sources, the anti-graft agency is pursuing an additional N10 billion and $13 million allegedly siphoned through inflated contracts awarded for the rehabilitation projects.

Olukoyede leads investigation personally

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, is said to have taken direct control of the investigation. Insiders noted his frustration over the non-functional state of Nigeria’s refineries despite billions of dollars allocated for their rehabilitation.

Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries have remained largely dormant for decades, forcing the country to depend heavily on imported petroleum products.

Billions of dollars have been budgeted across successive governments for their revival, yet the facilities in Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt continue to underperform.

Billions released, little to show

The EFCC is probing funds previously approved for the projects, including:

$1.55 billion for the Port Harcourt refinery

$740 million for the Kaduna refinery

$656 million for the Warri refinery

Top EFCC investigators revealed that fraudulent practices such as over-invoicing, contract inflation, and questionable payments were responsible for the refineries’ persistent failures.

Suspects grilled, charges expected

Sources confirmed that both serving and former management teams of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the three refineries had been repeatedly interrogated.

One EFCC source said:

“Our investigation into the turnaround maintenance of the nation’s refineries in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt has yielded major discoveries of large-scale fraud. Investigators discovered fraudulent dealings through over-invoicing, contract inflation and questionable payments were largely responsible for the malfunctioning of the refineries. A total sum of $10m and N5bn have so far been recovered from suspects indicted in the fraud.”

The source added that charges are imminent:

“Investigations are already concluded on some officials of the NNPCL involved in the rehabilitation contracts and the commission is ready to file charges against them. Both former management and present management of the NNPCL and refineries may be charged.”

More funds under recovery

Another senior EFCC official disclosed that more recoveries were underway:

“While we have recovered some money, another $13m and N10bn discovered to be siphoned through contractors engaged in the maintenance are due to be recovered.”

The official further revealed that the agency is investigating fresh allegations of contract inflation worth about $40 million, allegedly involving NNPCL officials and contractors.

Silence from EFCC spokesperson

Efforts to reach the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages were not returned.

However, a senior official, speaking off the record, confirmed the recoveries made so far.

Background

Nigeria’s state-owned refineries have long been a symbol of public sector inefficiency and corruption. Despite over four decades of promises and billions of dollars spent, the refineries have failed to operate at full capacity.

The latest EFCC investigation could mark a turning point, as Nigerians continue to endure fuel import dependence, rising energy costs, and distrust over government handling of public resources.

Credit: The punch

A simmering land dispute in Ikere Ekiti has erupted into a major controversy, as the Ajana Family has openly accused the town’s monarch, His Royal Majesty Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, of autocratic behaviour and blatant disregard for the rule of law.

The dispute, which spans several years, involves ancestral land jointly claimed by the Ajana and Ajiboye families. The matter was resolved through a High Court ruling in favour of the Ajana Family. But in a dramatic turn of events, the family now alleges that the king has flouted the court’s judgment and handed over the disputed land to unnamed investors without consultation or due process.

Judicial Decisions Ignored

In 2022, a High Court in Ikere Ekiti, presided over by Honourable Justice Fawehinmi, ruled on the land ownership matter in favour of the Ajana Family. Despite the clarity of the judgment, the Ajiboye Family allegedly rejected the ruling and continued to assert control over the property.

Faced with persistent opposition, the Ajana Family initiated both civil and criminal proceedings at the Magistrate and High Courts in Ikere Ekiti to protect their rights.

“Despite this clear and binding court judgment, members of the Ajiboye family continued to show hostility and took steps contrary to the peaceful resolution of the matter,” the family stated.

Palace Panels vs Court Orders

In what was initially perceived as a peace effort, the Ogoga set up traditional panels to mediate between the warring families. In resolutions dated June 30, 2023, and November 20, 2024, these palace panels echoed the High Court’s position, calling for the land to be shared.

However, the Ajiboye Family again rejected the resolutions. According to the Ajana Family, the Ogoga, instead of upholding judicial and traditional decisions, unilaterally announced that the land had been handed over to unnamed investors.

“In an unprecedented and shocking twist, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, without consultation, negotiation, or consent of the Ajana Family, announced that the land in dispute had been handed over to some unnamed investors,” the family said.

Legal Petitions and Retaliation

In response, the Ajana Family, through their legal counsel, petitioned the Surveyor-General of Ekiti State on March 10, 2025, opposing the move. Copies of the petition were also sent to the Ekiti State Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, and the State Security Service.

Further legal action followed. On June 19, 2025, the family filed a motion to join key state actors— including the Surveyor-General, Governor, and Bureau of Lands — as respondents in the pending suit. The High Court granted the request on June 9, 2025.

The family’s frustration deepened when the monarch suspended Chief Oluwabamise Julius Afolabi, head of the Ajana Family, for three months. The family views the suspension as retaliation.

“This suspension is perceived by the Ajana Family as a retaliatory and coercive action, aimed at silencing legitimate opposition and legal redress,” the statement reads.

A Cry for Justice

The Ajana Family has now called for urgent intervention from the Ekiti State Government, judiciary, civil society, and the public.

“We view these developments as a flagrant abuse of traditional authority; a direct affront to the rule of law and judicial integrity; a deliberate attempt to dispossess the Ajana Family of its rightful heritage and ancestral land,” the family declared.

The statement further warned that allowing traditional authority to override court judgments could set a dangerous precedent in the state.

Call to Action

The family appealed to the following authorities and stakeholders:

Governor of Ekiti State

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice

Chief Judge of Ekiti State

Civil society organisations

Nigerian Bar Association

The media and general public

“Traditional authority must not be allowed to override court judgments or be used as a tool of oppression,” said Barrister Olajide Ajana, lead counsel to the family.

The Ajana Family reaffirmed its commitment to peace and legal recourse, stressing they “reject every attempt to undermine our rights and intimidate our leadership.”

Supporting Documents Available

Attachments to the Ajana Family’s petition include:

Certified copy of the High Court judgment

Palace resolutions (June 30, 2023 & November 20, 2024)

Petition to the Surveyor-General (March 10, 2025)

Court order for joinder (June 9, 2025)