...As Delta HOSTCOM Chairman suspended indefinitely
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun interrogating Mr Sunny Ndidi Enujeke, a former aide to ex-Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, over allegations of financial misappropriation and embezzlement of Three Hundred Million Naira (₦300,000,000.00).
The funds, which were meant for a capacity-building and training program for indigenes of oil and gas-producing communities in Delta State, were reportedly disbursed to Enujeke between September and November 2024 by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). At the time, Enujeke served as the state chairman of the Oil and Gas Host Communities (HOSTCOM).
However, instead of utilizing the funds for the intended purpose, Enujeke allegedly diverted them for personal use, including constructing a private duplex in the Udu area and sharing portions of the money with associates. This alleged misappropriation sparked outrage among members of HOSTCOM, leading some concerned members to file a petition with the EFCC on January 9, 2025, demanding an investigation into the matter.
Following the petition, the EFCC summoned Enujeke and his associates for questioning. On April 3, 2025, he appeared before the anti-graft agency at its Port Harcourt office, where he is currently undergoing interrogation.
As of the time of this report, Enujeke remains in EFCC custody as investigations continue. The Commission has yet to issue an official statement regarding further actions against him or his alleged accomplices.
Recalled that the Delta State Chapter of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) had suspended its chairman, Mr Sunny Ndidi Enujeke, indefinitely over allegations of embezzling N300 million earmarked for human capacity development.
This decision was conveyed in a petition dated April 2, 2025, addressed to the National President of HOSTCOM, Dr. Benjamin Taraumiebi Style.
According to the petition, Mr Enujeke has been accused of running the association “like his personal property” without transparency and accountability, in clear violation of the HOSTCOM Constitution.
The petition states, “That the said Mr. Sunny Ndidi Enujeke has been running the Association like his personal property. He is not been transparent and accountable to the people he was serving in flagrant violation of the Constitution of HOSTCOM 2010 (as Amended in 2018).”
The controversy stems from an N525 million allocation approved by the Delta State Government for HOSTCOM, which included N100 million for human capacity building, N200 million for vehicle procurement, and N75 million for the renovation of the HOSTCOM secretariat.
However, the petition alleges that Mr Enujeke falsely declared the total sum to be N375 million instead of N525 million. Further allegations indicate that despite receiving N300 million from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr Enujeke has failed to properly account for its expenditure.
The petition details, “That the Chairman of DESOPADEC, Chief John Nani, at a meeting with members of HOSTCOM Urhobo Ethnic Nationality on the 3rd day of December 2024, told them that DESOPADEC has so far released the sum of N300,000,000 to HOSTCOM Delta State chapter and that the total money the Commission earmarked to give to HOSTCOM is N525,000,000.”
The suspended chairman is also accused of diverting funds into personal and individual accounts, rather than utilizing them for the intended human capacity development programs. “That the entire money Mr Sunny Ndidi Enujeke allegedly spent for HOSTCOM from the N100,000,000 he claimed to have received from DESOPADEC was not more than N40,000,000. He has not given an account of the balance N60,000,000,” the petition states.
Additionally, HOSTCOM Delta State claims that Mr Enujeke has been using the organization’s account for unauthorized financial transactions and has refused to account for a monthly impress of N500,000 received from DESOPADEC since September 2022, totalling approximately N13 million.
Due to these allegations, the petitioners have taken action to suspend Mr Enujeke indefinitely and install the Vice Chairman as the Acting Chairman. The petition states, “As provided by the extant provisions of the HOSTCOM Constitution, Mr. Sunny Ndidi Enujeke has been suspended indefinitely, while the Vice Chairman is sworn in to act as the Acting Chairman of HOSTCOM Delta State Chapter. ”
In light of the suspension, HOSTCOM leadership has formally requested that all dealings with Mr Enujeke as chairman cease immediately. The petition urges the National President to take swift action to “bring peace to HOSTCOM Delta State Chapter and restore sanity to the body.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Enujeke is reportedly under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies. The petition warns that “he may be charged to court if found wanting,” signalling a potential legal battle ahead.Write something.
