The storm surrounding allegations of financial impropriety and the alleged forgery of councillors’ signatures to secure a controversial ₦800 million loan against Hon.Dagidi Andaye, Chairman, Bomadi Local Government Council has refused to abate as 15 councillors of the Legislative Arm have escalated the matter.
In a decisive legal move, their counsel has formally written to Zenith Bank Plc, demanding an immediate stoppage of further release of funds to the Bomadi Local Government Council except for salaries pending the determination of the notice and recommendations before the Delta State House of Assembly and the outcome of ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a letter dated 25th January, 2026 addressed to the Branch Manager, Zenith Bank PLC, Ughelli, Delta State titled “RE: DEMAND FOR STOPPAGE OF RELEASE OF FUNDS TO BOMADI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL EXCEPT FOR PAYMENT OF SALARIES” signed by Prof. Damfebo K.Derri on behalf of F.T. OKOROTIE, SAN & CO, Abeokuta Chambers, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State said they are solicitors to Bomadi Local Government Legislative Arm.
According to the letter “We are solicitors to the Bomadi Local Government Legislative Arm, ably represented by its Leader, Honourable ThankGod Tikiri, hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”, on whose behalf and instructions we write you this letter over the above subject matter”.
”It is on record and to your knowledge that the Executive Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Honourable Dagidi Andaye, obtained a loan of Eight Hundred Million Naira (₦800,000,000.00) only from Zenith Bank Plc, for reasons not disclosed to the elected councillors of our client”.
”However, as part of the oversight functions of our client, an investigation was carried out, wherein it was discovered that the said loan was obtained without the approval of our client, contrary to the provisions of the Delta State Local Government Law (as amended), which requires the consent and approval of the Legislative Arm for a loan of such magnitude to be obtained”.
”Apart from the above,the signatures of about 15 members of our client were allegedly forged to facilitate the loan.This is not just a violation of the extant procurement laws of Delta State but it is a also an economic crime and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is already prying into it pursuant to a letter dated 8th January, 2026 written by our client”.
”Consequent upon the above and coupled with other incidents of gross misconduct, abuse of office, misappropriation of funds, etc, fifteen (15) out of twenty (20) members of our client had issued a Notice and Recommendation to the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly to remove the Executive Chairman- Honourable Dagidi Andaye as Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council”.
”The said Notice and Recommendation is in consonance with Section 31(1) of the Delta State Local Government Law, which statutorily empowered our client to so act. The said Notice and Recommendation is pending before the Delta State House of Assembly, and a copy is herein attached for your perusal and action”.
”As a corporate institution, we want to believe that Zenith Bank Plc will stand for accountability and transparency in the handling of public funds, and the only way Zenith Bank Plc can effectively demonstrate that is to accede to the demands of our client to stop further release of funds to the Council, except for payment of salaries, pending the outcome of the Notice and Recommendation as well as the investigation by the EFCC”.
”TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that unless you adhere to the demands of our client upon receipt of this letter, we shall have no option than to take legal steps within the ambit of the law to protect the rights of our client, and this shall be done without further notice to you”.
Copies of the letter have been sent to the Office Accountant General,Delta State, Auditor General of Delta State, Auditor General, Local Government Area, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission,Delta State.
It would be recalled that the crisis deepened after the councillors formally served a notice of impeachment on the Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Hon. Dagidi Andaye, accusing him of gross misconduct, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, and the alleged fraudulent procurement of the ₦800 million loan allegations that have now cast a long shadow over the administration and ignited a fierce demand for transparency and justice.
The Councillors had submitted a petition titled ” Impeachment Notice and Recommendation for Removal From Office of the Chairman, Bomadi Local Government Area” dated 5th January, 2026 to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government. surprisingly three weeks after submitting their petition no mention has been made on their petition by the Speaker or parties invited for investigation in line with Section (31) 1 of the Delta State Local Government Law as Amended.
