Fraud: Ondo Farmers Expel Evangelist Oyedele as Trustee
The Ondo State Farmers Congress has disclaimed Evangelist Joshua Oyedele as a member of its Trustees for defrauding the association and committing several other atrocities.
The pronouncement was made on Tuesday, 4th February 2025, during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, behind the Adegbemile Cultural Centre in Akure.
Addressing journalists at the briefing, the State Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the organisation, Farmer Felix Akinbobola outlined several atrocities committed by Evangelist Oyedele during his leadership and tenure as a trustee.
The PRO quoted Article 21 of the Farmers’ Constitution, which states that disciplinary measures may be imposed by the Congress on its members, and the form of discipline adopted shall depend on the seriousness of the particular case.
“One, expulsion. Two, suspension. Three, removal from office. Four, debarring or disqualification from holding office. Five, a fine. Six, censure, and seven, caution and discharge.”
According to Akinbobola , attempts were made on personal grounds, as well as the formation of a committee of enquiry to investigate the situation, but Oyedele never appeared before the committee, while others, during his administration, honoured the invitation.
He stated that any President who has served the association automatically becomes a trustee of the organisation, which made Oyedele a trustee. He still goes around the world claiming to represent the interests of farmers.
Among the atrocities listed were, among others, the following:
Sold 72 plots of land and declared selling only 22 from the hectares of land owned by the organisation
Collected money for the renewal of the Farmers’ Congress CAC, which was not done
Squandered cement blocks meant for building a fueling station for the Farmers’ Congress
Looted the gadgets from a three-bedroom apartment rented by the Farmers’ Congress at Adinlewa, in Akure
Has been using the name of the Farmers’ Congress across the country without reporting to the leadership of the organisation
Money allocated for farmers’ development was siphoned for personal use, with allegations that he built houses in Okitipupa and Irele.
The PRO called on all relevant organisations and appropriate authorities worldwide to stop engaging with him under the guise that he is representing the interests of farmers, warning that legal action would soon be taken regarding the situation.
“We are disclaiming him and stating that he should not be parading himself as a trustee,” he declared.
Leading the farmers at the conference were Afolabi Foluso, General Secretary; Ch. Idowu Mibiola, Chairman of the Panel of Enquiries; Mr Kule Fadiji, Secretary of the Panel; and Mrs Adu Cecilia, Women’s Leader.
Others present included Thomas, Makinde Olaitan, Agboola Olusola, Owoyemi Bamidele, Olowogboye Idowu, and Farmer Monilari Abayomi, the Congress President, among many others.
