Former Ogulagha Chairman N3.1 Billion Host Community Fund Missing

Nigeria Police have invited former Ogulagha Community Chairman John Babapere, also known as John Bull, over allegations that billions of naira meant for host community development under the Petroleum Industry Act were diverted. According to documents seen by SaharaReporters, between 2022 and 2025 the Ogulagha Host Community Development Trust received approximately ₦3.167 billion and an additional US$4.173 million from Shell (now Renaissance Africa) as statutory three percent allocation from oil production revenues.

Under the PIA framework, 75 percent of those funds should go to community development projects, 20 percent to investment and contingency, and five percent to admin expenses. But community members say only about 25 percent of the funds can be linked to visible projects. Videos and photos reportedly show dilapidated school buildings and poor roads in the kingdom. The petition also names Catherine Uju Ifejika of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited over alleged involvement in fund management.

A community source told SaharaReporters, "There are serious concerns among community members that substantial portions of the funds... have been diverted for the personal benefit of certain individuals, including members of the traditional leadership structure." The IGP acknowledged a petition dated April 26, 2026. How many more host communities are quietly watching their development money disappear like this?