Felix Osemwengie Isere in Hot Water: How Edo Government’s Oil and Gas Summit Was Allegedly Used as a Fraud Vehicle

Jonathan Osemudiamen

The Edo State Government has suspended Barrister Felix Osemwengie Isere, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Oil and Gas, over his alleged involvement in a fraudulent fundraising scheme disguised under the banner of the state-sponsored Oil and Gas Summit scheduled for August 7, 2025. The suspension, confirmed in an official announcement signed by Umar Musa Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government, has rocked political circles and sent shockwaves across Edo’s oil and gas sector.

According to the public notice issued on July 28, 2025, Mr. Isere was suspended for "unauthorized fundraising using the name of Edo State Government" in relation to the upcoming summit. What the public announcement did not include—but has since been uncovered through multiple reliable sources—is the shocking extent of the financial impropriety involved.

At the heart of the scandal is the revelation that Felix Isere used the bank account of his private company to solicit and receive sponsorship funds from stakeholders in the oil and gas sector. These funds were allegedly positioned as donations towards the now-suspended Edo Oil and Gas Summit — an event that had been widely publicized as government-endorsed.

Investigations reveal that over ₦50 million was funneled into his personal company account from a major oil and gas company whose name has not yet been disclosed. Sources claim that several other private operators also donated substantial amounts, believing their contributions were going directly to support the state government’s summit and energy agenda. However, none of the funds appear to have gone through official government channels or state-sanctioned accounts.

Critics argue that Isere’s actions go beyond mere misjudgment and represent a deliberate act of fraud. “This is not just unethical; it’s criminal,” one official familiar with the case remarked. “You don’t use your private company to collect donations for a government program unless you’re trying to profit illegally.” The suspended adviser has reportedly been ordered to refund all monies collected, and the summit itself has been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of further investigations.

Contrary to earlier public perceptions, Felix Isere is not a UK-trained lawyer. He is, in fact, a Nigeria-trained legal practitioner who only recently relocated to the United Kingdom in pursuit of greener pastures. Facing tough economic realities abroad and struggling to secure stable work, Isere returned to Nigeria and began lobbying intensely for a political appointment in Edo State. Governor Monday Okpebholo, moved by his situation and seeing potential in his legal background, appointed him as Special Adviser on Oil and Gas — a portfolio meant to attract investments and deepen sector reforms. Just months later, that empathy appears to have been misused.

This is not the first time Felix Isere’s name is being linked to controversial practices. Popular social media commentator and investigative presenter, CT Naija’s Albert Obazee, had earlier accused Isere of fraud involving the UK’s Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) system. Obazee alleged that Felix was charging desperate Nigerians exorbitant fees for fake UK job placements using manipulated COS documents — a practice that has led to financial ruin and shattered dreams for many victims.

At the time, supporters of Isere dismissed Obazee's claims as envy, especially after images surfaced of Felix flaunting a newly built mansion in Benin City, despite only returning from the UK a few months earlier. Today, however, these earlier warnings appear prophetic.

In a rare but commendable move, the Edo State Government has acted swiftly, suspending Isere from office and disassociating the administration from any dealings with him. The public has also been advised not to engage with him on any government-related matters, especially in relation to oil and gas business in the state. Governor Okpebholo, who has prided himself on transparency and accountability, is said to be deeply disappointed by the incident. “This is a slap in the face of a government that gave him a chance,” a source within the Governor’s Office lamented.

Pressure is now mounting on anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to investigate the matter thoroughly and prosecute if necessary. Civil society groups have called for a full audit of all financial activities related to the Oil and Gas Summit and any prior dealings by Felix Isere under the Office of the Special Adviser.

Meanwhile, Edo citizens, already weary of corrupt officials, are watching with skepticism, hoping this will not be another case of political cover-up and immunity.

Felix Osemwengie Isere remains innocent until proven guilty, but the signs are grim. From allegations of immigration fraud abroad to financial misconduct at home, his fall from grace may not only mark the end of his political ambitions but also serve as a cautionary tale for those who seek public office for personal enrichment. The question on everyone’s lips now is: How many other “Felixes” are still in government?

Jonathan Osemudiamen
Social analyst and commentator
Based in Russia

Super Falcons Rewarded Royally, But Who Will Honour Nigeria’s Real Nation Builders?

By Stanley Ugagbe

The air is thick with jubilation, and rightly so. Our Super Falcons, a beacon of national pride, have once again soared, bringing home the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations trophy. President Bola Tinubu, with a flourish, has showered them with accolades: national honors, three-bedroom apartments, and a cool $100,000 each. The Nigeria Governors Forum chimed in with an additional N10 million per player. A grand gesture, indeed, a testament to their dedication and a shining moment for our nation.

But as the confetti settles and the cheers begin to fade, a dissonant note rings in the ears of many, a stark reminder of a deeper, more unsettling reality. While we celebrate our athletes, and rightly so, a gnawing question begs to be asked: what about the unsung heroes who keep the wheels of our society turning? The ones who, day in and day out, toil in the trenches, their invaluable contributions often met with a paltry pittance rather than a well-deserved windfall.

Let's speak plainly. Our teachers, the very architects of our future, are paid peanuts. They stand before our children, molding minds and shaping destinies, yet their take-home pay often feels like a cruel joke, barely enough to keep body and soul together. They are the bedrock of our society, yet we treat them as if their worth is less than the dust beneath our feet.

And what of our professors, the custodians of knowledge, the intellectual giants who are meant to propel our nation forward? They too earn peanuts, forcing many to moonlight or abandon academia altogether, leaving a gaping void in our institutions of higher learning. We expect them to produce world-class research and educate the next generation, but we offer them crumbs, effectively telling them their expertise is dispensable.

Consider the military men, those brave souls who stand as our shield against chaos, putting their lives on the line to safeguard our peace and sovereignty. Their sacrifice is immense, their courage unwavering. Yet, their take-home pay can't even take them home. Many struggle to provide for their families, living a hand-to-mouth existence while facing unimaginable dangers. It's a bitter pill to swallow when those who protect us are themselves struggling to survive.

Then there are our medical personnel, the frontline warriors against illness and disease, who dedicate their lives to healing the sick and saving lives. They are stretched thin, overworked, and underpaid, often working in deplorable conditions. The deplorable conditions and abysmal remuneration have driven many to seek greener pastures abroad, a phenomenon we now tragically refer to as "japa." Our hospitals are bleeding talent, and who can blame them for escaping a system that undervalues their tireless efforts?

The irony is as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel. We celebrate a football victory with lavish rewards, a moment of fleeting glory, while the very pillars of our society crumble under the weight of neglect. It's like pouring champagne on a wilting plant while the roots are starved of water. This disparity isn't just an oversight; it's a profound statement about our national priorities, a disheartening reflection of where our true values lie.

This isn't to say our Super Falcons don't deserve their accolades. They fought hard, they won big, and they brought joy to millions. Their victory is a testament to the power of sport and the spirit of perseverance. But true national development isn't built on isolated triumphs; it's built on the collective strength of a well-compensated, motivated, and appreciated workforce.

We cannot expect to build a truly great nation when the very people entrusted with educating our children, securing our borders, and healing our sick are struggling to make ends meet. It's a house built on sand, destined to collapse under the slightest pressure. This isn't just about money; it's about dignity, about respect, and about valuing the foundational elements of our society.

It's time for a radical shift in perspective, a re-evaluation of our national ethos. We must move beyond the dazzling spotlight of transient achievements and focus on the quiet, consistent efforts that truly sustain us. Let's not be blinded by the glitter of gold medals while the very fabric of our society frays at the edges.

The President's gesture, while commendable for the Super Falcons, highlights a glaring double standard. If we can find the resources to reward athletic prowess so handsomely, then surely, we can find the means to ensure that those who dedicate their lives to public service are compensated with dignity and fairness. It's not a matter of scarcity; it's a matter of priority.

It's time to provoke action. We must demand a living wage for our teachers, fair compensation for our professors, honorable pay for our military, and respectable remuneration for our medical personnel. We must hold our leaders accountable and insist that they put their money where their mouths are when it comes to the well-being of all citizens, not just a select few.

Let this moment of athletic triumph be a catalyst for change, a loud alarm bell ringing in the ears of those in power. Let it remind us that a nation's true strength lies not just in its sporting victories, but in the equitable treatment and flourishing of all its people. Otherwise, the taste of victory will forever be tinged with the bitter irony of a society that celebrates some while leaving others to wither on the vine.

Stanley Ugagbe is a seasoned journalist with a passion for exposing social issues and advocating for justice. With years of experience in the media industry, he has written extensively on governance, human rights, and societal challenges, crafting powerful narratives that inspire change.

Don't settle until you find this.
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Find someone who knows that date nights are mandatory.
Find someone who never punishes you for the mistakes made by the ones behind you.
Find someone who you have amazing chemistry with.
Find someone who is willing to graduate to a real lasting love with you.
Find someone who is willing to navigate the ship of life together.
Find someone who knows that not a single person on the face of this earth sits high enough to look down on anyone.
Find someone who doesn't make you fall for them without intending to catch you.
Find someone who would rather spend a Sunday morning with you, rather than a Saturday night.
Find somebody who's quick to put their ego aside and are willing to listen and grow with you with every day that passes.
Find someone who chases you .... long after they already have you.
Find someone who will never let you fall asleep at night wondering if you still matter.
Find someone who makes a reservation at your favorite restaurant unannounced.
Find someone who has genuine intentions with you from the very beginning.
Take my advice and .... find someone real enough to treat you .... like they can never replace you.
~ Cody Bret

*SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES+, 31/07/2025*

Patients groan as nurses’ strike grounds hospitals nationwide

FG eyes N796bn annually from 5% petrol surcharge

P’Harcourt refinery not for sale – NNPC

NLC gives FG 2 weeks to refund ‘illegally deducted 40% ECS funds’

320 cholera patients recover as Niger, UNICEF contain outbreak

FGC Kaduna students to receive 1,000 laptops from alumni

Trump punishes Brazil with tariffs, sanctions over trial of ally Bolsonaro

UAE begins construction of 7km water pipeline to ease Gaza’s crisis

W’Africa’s first skyscraper, Cocoa House, marks 60 years

AfDB commits $1.2m grant to support national grid stability

Stranded Nigerian miners in CAR arrive Embassy

Manitoba’s Isabella Emike Olatunji makes history as First Nigerian Mrs Canada Globe

Nigerian Egusi seeds makes historic journey to space aboard NASA mission


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*DID YOU KNOW?*

* The brain is actually not capable of multitasking. While we may think we’re doing two things at the same time, we’re actually just quickly switching back and forth between different tasks.

* The border between the United States and Canada is the longest international border in the world, stretching for 8,891 kilometres.
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Tinubu appoints Governing Council, principal officers for Ogoni Federal University

Tinubu Names Adeyemi Fire Service CG

Tinubu meets Jibrin, Kwankwaso ally, amid defection rumours

Shortage of practical skills accounts for 55% youth unemployment — Speaker

Reps probe Nigerian miners’ abuse claim in CAR

Alleged $1.04m fraud: Court refuses Ajudua fresh bail application

UTME fraud: JAMB prosecutes 110 in five years

Guard, cook sentenced to death for poisoning ex-Katsina commissioner

NAFDAC nets N2.5bn from illicit drug raids in Lagos, Onitsha, Aba

Presidency dismisses ex-ADC chairman’s claim of ministerial offer

Govt targets 80m non-literate youths, adults for basic education

Accessibility of UBEC funds under review, says education minister

NDLEA, Education Ministry to introduce drug testing in tertiary institutions

TETFund reroutes foreign training funds to varsity projects – Masari

Nigeria was heading to N12tr subsidy debt — PCNGi

FG attracts $440m CNG investments in two months – Report

Economic reforms slashed North’s debt by 42% – FG

FCCPC warns traders against price inflation, substandard goods

NAPTIP rescues 170 trafficked persons in Borno

NNPCL drills four oil wells in Kolmani, Bauchi

NAICOM unveils operational guidelines for Insurtech firms

NIMC migrates TELCOS to NINAUTH platform

Customs to adopt Pidgin as official B’Odogwu language

Climate change: FG reaffirms commitment to low carbon emissions

Onanuga: Some Politicians After Tinubu Because He’s From The South

FCTA plans mandatory hepatitis screening for food vendors

Akwa Poly rector denies imposing kinsman as successor

I’ll sustain demand for university autonomy — ASUU President

3,000 benefit from POWA nationwide empowerments — IG’s wife

Political loyalty fueling social media insults – Report

IDPs protest in Benue, block Makurdi–Lafia road

Kings must respect ancestral burial rites or quit throne — Wande Abimbola

Bodo-Bonny road nears 80% completion – Julius Berger

UAC acquires Chivita|Hollandia from Coca-Cola

Sterling HoldCo posts 157% profit, plans ₦53bn public offer

Oando unveils plans for 1.2GW solar plant

Nigerians to own shares in $20bn refinery — Dangote

Seplat revives 29 dormant wells, pumps 26,000bpd crude

Obi defends N540m donation amid S’East bias claims

Governors’ Spending: US Has Confirmed Nigeria’s Leadership Crisis – Peter Obi

Tinubu’s performance impressive in key areas, say North’s leaders

PDP Has Become An Empty Shell Nationwide – Abiodun

Gov Alia sacks chief of staff, commissioners, dissolves state executive council

Oyo Assembly approves appointment of civil, judicial service commissions members

Egbin land dispute: Lagos Assembly adopts committee’s recommendations

Delta plans 500-unit housing plan to cut rent costs

Sokoto targets food security with N5.3bn fertiliser intervention

Oyo refutes plan to build shops on market car park

Ondo okays N3.5b counterpart funding for World Bank rural road projects

Erosion: Cross River residents seek swift govt action

Lagos unveils youth storytelling challenge

Former speaker of old Anambra Assembly Ekwealor dies at 89

Ekiti arrests 90 for environmental sanitation offences

Road users groan over dilapidated Benin-Warri road

LASG clears drain, arrests woman for illegal waste disposal

Ooni announces new Ife chief

Manhunt begins for killers of Anambra bizman despite paying ransom

Woman arrested for killing, selling pregnant Anambra nurse’s body parts

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*TODAY IN HISTORY*

* On this day in 1992, Thai Airways International Flight 311 crashed while approaching Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. All 113 people onboard were killed in the crash.

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The wise man doesn’t give the right answers, he poses the right questions. – Claude Levi-Strauss

Good morning


*Compiled by Hon. Osuji George osujis@yahoo.com +234-8122200446*

Baro Port Scandal: Oyetola and Oyebamiji Caught in the Web of Waste and Corruption

The recent summons issued by the House of Representatives to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, marks yet another disgraceful chapter in the public life of two men whose tenure in public service has consistently raised more questions than answers. The ongoing probe into the Baro Inland Port project exposes a disturbing case of financial recklessness, mismanagement, and alleged embezzlement of public resources under their supervision.

It is alarming that despite the colossal sums allocated to the Baro Port project, purportedly completed and handed over, there is no trace of operational activity at the site. No movement of cargo. No access by road. No sign of life. Yet, records show that billions of naira were spent on this venture, and today, the facility remains idle and wasted. The fact that both Oyetola and Oyebamiji are being compelled by federal lawmakers to provide documents ranging from contract papers to inspection reports points to a gross failure in transparency and accountability.

This unfolding scandal mirrors Oyetola’s track record as former Governor of Osun State. During his tenure, public funds were managed with opacity, infrastructure was neglected, and debts multiplied with no proportional development to justify the borrowing spree. His administration left behind numerous uncompleted projects and a bitter legacy of economic stagnation. Now in Abuja, rather than redefining governance at the federal level, he appears to be replicating the same pattern of waste and inefficiency on a national scale.

Bola Oyebamiji, on his part, has proven to be more of a silent enabler than a capable administrator. Having served under Oyetola as a finance commissioner and now heading NIWA, he bears direct responsibility for the oversight of this multi-billion-naira port. Under his leadership, the Baro Port has become a national embarrassment, one that undermines both public trust and economic strategy. Instead of delivering results, he has delivered silence and shadows, raising questions about how much he really knows and what roles he played in the disappearance of funds.

For the people of Osun State, this is not just a federal issue, it is a reflection of the kind of leadership we must never allow to return. Oyetola and Oyebamiji, despite their past failures, continue to operate in positions of national influence, and yet their presence brings nothing but baggage, scandal, and retrogression. Their involvement in this unfolding Baro Port fiasco is not an isolated misstep; it is part of a broader pattern of poor governance that has repeatedly cost the people their development and dignity.

There must be a collective reckoning. The people of Osun must come to terms with the fact that these individuals, by their actions and inactions, have further damaged the public image of the state while contributing to the national problem of abandoned projects and looted funds. Confidence in them should not only be withdrawn, it must be extinguished. They have failed to justify the trust reposed in them, and they have no moral grounds left to ask for it again. Their Legacy of Loss Billions Gone, Nothing to Show Now the Nation Calls