Edo Community Cries out Over Alleged N15 Million Transformer Fund Mismanagement, Demands Government Intervention

There is mounting tension in Uteh Ekoko community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State as residents have taken to the streets to protest the alleged mismanagement of over N15 million contributed for the purchase of a transformer.

The aggrieved community members made a passionate appeal to the Edo State government to step into the matter during a peaceful protest to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council, where they brandished placards with inscriptions such as “Say no to looting of landlords and landladies funds,” “Our eye don open,” and “Uteh Ekoko, bring back our transformer”.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Ifeanyi Amiodo alleged that each household in the community contributed the sum of N40,000, with a few others contributing N80,000, amounting to over N15 million intended for the purchase of a transformer to improve electricity supply in the area . According to Amiodo, the funds were managed by a committee, but Mr. Henry Edo, the Landlords Association Chairman of the community, and Mr. Onwugbufor Celestine, the Transformer Committee Chairman, allegedly embezzled the money.

The initiative, which reportedly involved over 300 households, generated about N12.16 million from approximately 304 contributors, according to separate accounts from residents. The initial agreement was to procure a brand-new transformer, but the process reportedly took a different turn after the committee was informed of the availability of a 500KVA transformer allegedly facilitated by an unnamed public official. The committee subsequently approved the purchase of the transformer for N6 million, a decision residents claim was the last taken at a general meeting involving the landlord and landlady forum.

Amiodo further alleged that when they decided to voice their concerns, they were labeled suspected cultists. He also claimed that Mr. Henry Edo threatened to use his influence in government to pull down their houses, alleging they had been used for cult-related activities. “For about a month and 11 days now, we have been on this issue, but all we keep getting is a printout of the money spent, which we opposed. We insist that a bank statement should be provided instead to clear our doubts,” Amiodo said.

Concerns have intensified following the delivery of the transformer, with several residents alleging that the equipment is unsuitable for residential use and may have been designed for industrial purposes, raising questions about its efficiency for domestic electricity distribution . The protesters are now demanding a comprehensive financial account and an independent review of the entire procurement process, including clarification on the current status of the remaining funds.

Responding to the allegations, the Landlords Association Chairman, Mr. Henry Edo, denied any financial impropriety, insisting that all financial records were intact and were once presented to the community at a committee of the whole meeting, where they were commended for a job well done. Edo, who narrated how he was assaulted and humiliated by members of the community, described their actions as victimization.

Similarly, the Transformer Committee Chairman, Mr. Onwugbufor Celestine, maintained that his hands are clean, stressing that he has all the records of the money spent.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council, Dr. Festus Alenkhe, who addressed the protesters, urged them to remain peaceful and not allow infiltrators to hijack their protest . He also called on relevant authorities and stakeholders to intervene to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the community-driven project.