By Darlington Okpebholo Ray, Editor in Chief, Truth Live News International (London)
This report is based on documents, sworn statements, and evidence obtained by Truth Live News International concerning alleged financial irregularities surrounding the repair of the Benin Club Golf Section’s Sienna bus. The investigation followed the release of two million three hundred and seventy thousand naira in December 2024 for the complete repair of the vehicle, excluding spraying, and has since raised significant questions about transparency, accountability, and internal governance within the club.
According to the petition authored by Engineer Benedict Oghumah, M.ASCE, the funds were approved during the tenure of then Captain Joseph Idahosa and subsequently placed in the personal account of the section’s accountant, Mr Emmanuel Aondoaver. This arrangement was allegedly proposed by Barrister Emmanuel Usoh, who was the section’s treasurer at the time. The warehousing of club funds in a private account, according to the report, contravenes financial ethics and creates an opportunity for possible misuse of funds.
Shortly after the transfer, it was alleged that Barrister Usoh directed the accountant to send part of the money to his personal account. Between the second week of December 2024 and January 2025, no tangible work was carried out on the Sienna vehicle. It was only when the accountant informed a member, Mr Zika Umoru, that he had sent money to the treasurer that attention was drawn to the inactivity surrounding the vehicle’s repair.
The investigation revealed that parts were eventually purchased from a vendor identified as Obinna Bizz through a transfer made by the accountant. However, by March 2025, the Sienna bus remained largely unrepaired. Receipts later presented to the section by Barrister Usoh appeared to have inconsistencies in dates and content, suggesting that the financial transaction had not been handled transparently.
Further examination of the receipts disclosed that several of them were allegedly issued by Osarieme Global, a vendor that later denied selling Toyota parts. According to the petition, Osarieme Global explained that the receipts were issued as a favour to Mr Usoh through Mr Zika Umoru, who had collected them on his behalf. Some of the receipts carried duplicated items that appeared both under Osarieme Global and another supplier, Jollity U. In addition, certain receipts indicated payment by cash even though the report maintained that all disbursements were made through bank transfers.
An affidavit by Mr Zika Umoru, seen by Truth Live News International, was filed at the Magistrate Court in Auchi in October 2025 and corroborates several of these claims. In the affidavit, Mr Umoru stated that he was directed to collect receipts from Osarieme Global despite knowing that no Toyota parts were purchased there. He added that the receipts were later used to justify funds that had already been diverted. Mr Umoru further claimed that he was contacted by the section’s captain, Mr Stephen Ebaretonbofa, who transferred one hundred and forty thousand naira to him to settle the issue quietly. He alleged that he was instructed to maintain a consistent narrative if any investigation was launched.
Mr Umoru’s affidavit also indicated that he was never called as a witness before the committee later constituted to investigate the matter. This omission has raised further questions about the integrity and transparency of the internal inquiry. The captain reportedly informed members that the matter had been investigated and concluded without disclosing details of the process or the findings. A letter circulated on the section’s WhatsApp forum, bearing multiple signatures, directed Barrister Usoh to provide a report on how the money was spent. However, discrepancies in the letter’s authorship and format have caused doubts about its authenticity.
According to statements from other members, the vice captain at the time, Barrister Victor Oriasotie, informed the section that the Sienna bus was eighty per cent completed. This claim was later challenged when it became clear that the vehicle had not undergone the repairs reported. The total value of receipts submitted by Barrister Usoh amounted to one million seven hundred and thirty-three thousand five hundred naira, leaving an unaccounted balance of one million seven hundred and seventy-seven thousand naira. Attempts by some members to access complete records and statements of account were reportedly obstructed.
The petition recommended that the section obtain and review the bank statements of both the accountant, Mr Emmanuel Aondoaver, and the treasurer, Barrister Emmanuel Usoh, to trace the flow of funds. It also advised comparing the original receipts with those presented during the committee session to determine which were genuine and which had been altered. The dismissal of the former assistant accountant, identified as David, was mentioned in the report as suspicious since he was believed to have access to the original purchase receipts.
In his written submission, Engineer Oghumah requested that the section focus on why the captain failed to investigate the matter when it was first reported, who signed the letter to Barrister Usoh, and how the financial records were handled. He also recommended that certain witnesses, including Mr Umoru, be invited to provide clarification regarding the true sequence of events.
The controversy has since exposed a broader governance issue within the Benin Club Golf Section. Members have questioned the processes used to manage funds and conduct disciplinary investigations. The report referenced established principles of fairness within club disciplinary procedures, stating that a committee must act reasonably and cannot turn witnesses into accused persons within the same proceedings. It emphasised that the role of a witness is to provide evidence rather than to become the subject of punishment.
A senior member of the club, who spoke to Truth Live News International on condition of anonymity, stated that the issue was not limited to the missing money but also reflected a deeper problem in the leadership culture. He described it as a test of transparency, moral authority, and institutional responsibility.
As of October 2025, there has been no official statement from the Benin Club Golf Section confirming whether the allegations are being investigated by the broader club administration or by any external authority. The matter remains a subject of quiet tension among members, with some calling for a forensic audit while others urge restraint and due process.
The documents and testimonies obtained by Truth Live News International provide a detailed account of the alleged irregularities, suggesting that the situation demands an independent review to uphold the integrity of the institution. The investigation has also renewed public discussion on accountability within private clubs and professional associations, where transparency is expected to match the prestige that such organisations command.
The Benin Club Golf Section now faces a defining moment. The truth about what happened to the Sienna bus funds and the authenticity of the documents presented will determine whether its leadership can restore confidence among its members. Until an impartial investigation is concluded, the matter will continue to cast a shadow over one of Benin City’s oldest and most respected social establishments.
Truth Live News International will continue to monitor developments in this matter and will publish further findings as more verified information becomes available.