Daud Olatunji
The Senior Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has issued an interim injunction restraining the leadership of the Nigeria Scout Association from proceeding with their planned Annual General Meeting (AGM) amidst allegations of financial misconduct involving over ₦300 million in unaccounted funds.
The court order, a copy obtained by PLATFORM TIMES on Thursday, was granted by Senior District Judge Theresa Nten Otu on September 3, 2024, followed a motion filed by the claimants, members of the Scout Association, who accused the leadership of bypassing proper constitutional procedures in organizing the AGM.
The claimants, including Idowu Samson Oluwaseun, the Divisional Commissioner of the Lagos State Scout Council, and Yusuf Yusuf, a member of the Kano State Scout Council, argued that the AGM, scheduled to take place in Benue State from September 5 to 8, had been planned without input from all zonal representatives, contrary to the Association’s constitution.
In response to their plea, the court granted an interim injunction barring the defendants, including Chief Emmanuel Audu Dodo, Chairman of the National Scout Board, and Dave Awunah, Chief Commissioner of the Association, from proceeding with the AGM until the motion on notice is heard and determined.
The claimants cited several breaches in the planning of the AGM, noting that it lacked the required participation and consultation of key stakeholders from various zones of the country.
This lack of transparency, according to them, mirrors the broader governance issues plaguing the association, particularly concerning allegations of financial mismanagement.
… Financial Mismanagement, Corruption Allegations
The Nigeria Scout Association has recently been embroiled in a deepening crisis over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement within its top leadership.
Central figures in the scandal include outgoing Chief Commissioner Dave Awunah and National Executive Commissioner Babatunde Oyetayo, both of whom are accused of embezzling funds and attempting to manipulate internal processes to evade accountability.
According to insider reports, the duo have been implicated in the misappropriation of over ₦250 million between 2018 and 2024.
This sum includes funds allocated for international events, including ₦100 million earmarked for the 2019 World Scout Jamboree, $20,000 from the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) intervention fund, and ₦27 million from the Edo State Government for the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Korea.
These funds reportedly disappeared without a trace, raising concerns within the association about the financial stewardship of its leadership.
The scandal also involves misappropriations linked to local projects, such as the controversial Green Scout ID Card initiative, and instances of large donations from prominent figures, including ₦1 million from Cardinal Anthony Okogie and funds from Senator Godswill Akpabio, which remain unaccounted for.
…Attempts To Evade Probes
Sources close to the leadership revealed that Awunah and Oyetayo have been manoeuvring to avoid facing probes into their financial dealings. Awunah, currently the Chief Commissioner, is reportedly angling for a seat on the National Scout Board, a move seen as a ploy to retain influence and dodge accountability.
Meanwhile, Oyetayo is eyeing the Chief Commissioner position, creating a power struggle within the association’s ranks.
Both officials have been accused of engaging in various schemes to conceal the full extent of the financial mismanagement.
These include irregular financial reports, unexplained transactions, and the siphoning of funds meant for international events and local development projects.
The court’s ruling and the ongoing financial scandal have sent shockwaves through the Nigeria Scout Association, which has long been regarded as a pillar of youth development and community service in the country.
The suspension of the AGM could further deepen the crisis within the organization, as stakeholders grapple with restoring transparency and accountability.
The.alleged financial improprieties, combined with the leadership’s alleged efforts to sidestep internal checks and balances, have tarnished the association’s image.
Calls for a comprehensive audit of the association’s finances have grown louder, with some members advocating for a complete overhaul of its leadership structure to restore confidence among the Scouts and the general public.
As the legal battle unfolds, the Nigeria Scout Association faces an uncertain future, with its leadership embroiled in a courtroom drama that could reshape the organisation’s governance for years to come.
The court is set to hear the motion on notice in the coming weeks, with many hoping it will provide clarity on the next steps for the embattled association.
PLATFORM TIMES contacted both Awuna and Oyetayo through their WhatApp line for reaction, they were both yet to respond to the enquiries .
There was strong indication that the message was read by both of them but had yet to respond to the allegations as of the time of filing this report .
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