By Wole Adedeji, Ilorin
A Union leader and immediate past Area Manager of the Lower Niger River Basin Authority, Ilorin, Mr. Mudi Olayinka Raji, has been accused of causing violence and disruption of official activities to frustrate ongoing investigation of alleged financial misconduct against him
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Engr. Olushola George Olumoroti, at a Press Conference on Monday said the former Area Manager and current Kwara State Chairman of the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Employees (NUAEE), led the disruption at the authority’s premises in a bid to stop a committee probing claims of corruption and revenue diversion against him.
According to the MD, the crisis stemmed from disciplinary actions initiated before he assumed office in April 2025. He said records handed over to him revealed allegations of gross misconduct against Raji, including collection and non-remittance of government revenue, unauthorized issuance of IOUs and diversion of public funds.
Olumoroti alleged that investigations by multiple disciplinary panels found Raji and four others culpable, while three staff members were reportedly cleared.
“The said Mr. Mudi was recommended for outright dismissal for gross violation of public service code and corrupt practices,” he said.
He added that the recommendations of the disciplinary committees were later reviewed by higher panels, including the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee with representatives from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, all of which reportedly upheld sanctions against the affected officials.
The MD disclosed that although the ministry later reduced the punishment from dismissal to a warning letter and an undertaking of good conduct after his appeal for leniency, Raji allegedly rejected the decision and accused the authority of forging evidence against him.
“The minister wrote back to me and instructed that a new committee be set up to look into the authenticity of his claim. I complied with the instruction of the minister and inaugurated the committee last Wednesday,” Olumoroti explained.
He described the recent protest and barricade at the authority as an attempt to obstruct the fresh investigation.
“This action of causing commotion and barricading the gate, disturbing peaceful conduct of government business and assaulting other staff is a ploy by him to force the government to swallow its own rule,” he said.
Olumoroti further alleged that some workers were attacked during the unrest, saying three staff members were hospitalised while another sustained severe head injury.
The MD maintained that reforms introduced under his leadership to improve transparency and accountability had met resistance from individuals benefiting from alleged irregular practices within the authority.
“It is a case of corruption fighting back,” he declared stressing that while workers have the constitutional rights to belong to unions, acts of violence and intimidation against non-union staff would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the River Basin MD and Chief Executive Officer told journalists that the matter had been officially reported to the State Police Command whose officers came to douse the tensions caused by the commotion and ward off further attempts to repeat the disturbance.
Pix above: The MD addressing the press