Nigeria: OSOPADEC boss arrested

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Debo Ajimuda, the chair of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), over the alleged misappropriation of funds he was tasked with administering. EFCC brought Ajimuda in following several allegations of corruption against him and petitions sent to the anti-corruption commission accusing him of embezzling OSOPADEC funds.

The commission stated that his arrest had become necessary because he had refused to respond to invitations to attend questioning over the allegations raised. Some of the petitions alleged that Ajimuda had failed to undertake any tangible developmental projects for the oil-producing communities in Ondo State since his appointment. The petitioners also accused him of spending funds budgeted for developmental projects for the benefit of people in oil-rich communities on women and expensive cars.

According to reports, about 13 exotic cars, which were found parked in Ajimuda's residence in Akure, Ondo State, were impounded by EFCC operatives. The operatives also carted away several bags of files as evidence. Ajimuda was appointed to head the development commission by the governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, in October 2009.

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