On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched an investigation into contracts and projects awarded by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) from 2018 to 2025, summoning its newly appointed chairman, Prince Biyi Poroye, for questioning at its Benin Zonal Office, as reported by Vanguard and The Sun (Web:0, Web:5). The invitation letter, dated June 23, 2025, and signed by ACE Ibelema Bristol, Head of Investigation, requested documents including a list of contracts, their status, awarded companies, and payment details, pursuant to Section 38 (1) and (2) of the EFCC Act, 2004 (Web:0). It remains unclear if Poroye, appointed on June 6, 2025, has honored the summons, though sources indicate a senior OSOPADEC official may represent the agency (Web:0, Web:9).
Poroye clarified that the probe predates his tenure, covering 2018 onward, and is directed at the office, not him personally, stating, “The sons have committed no crimes” (Web:0, Web:17). He vowed that no blackmail would derail his plans to reposition OSOPADEC, emphasizing priorities like completing abandoned multi-billion-naira projects, resolving disputes, strengthening partnerships, and providing bursaries and scholarships (Web:0, Web:15). The Ondo State Citizenship and Leadership group, led by Comrade Ikumapayi Ezekiel, alleged the leaked letter was a deliberate attempt by “moles” to discredit Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration, pointing to political rivals (Web:0, Web:7). X posts from @OndoWatch (September 2, 2025) echoed concerns of political sabotage, while @Naija_Activist noted 71% public skepticism about the probe’s impartiality, citing a 2025 Afrobarometer survey (Post:3). The investigation, targeting OSOPADEC’s N33.8 billion 2025 budget, could impact ongoing reforms, including infrastructure overhauls and guesthouse reconstruction (Web:1, Web:15).
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