Odidi Community Dismisses Okrikpa’s Chairmanship Claim as Court Orders EFCC to Probe Alleged N473m Loot

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The people of the Odidi Federated Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has vehemently debunked claims that it endorsed Prince Preye Okrikpa as chairman of the community amid the Federal High Court sitting in Effurun dismissing the Fundamental Rights suit filed by Prince Preye Okrikpa seeking to stop his investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over Alleged N473m Loots.

The community, under its legitimate leadership led by Amb. Truston Gbenekama, said Okrikpa’s tenure had long expired. According to the community, Okrikpa has ruled for over 5 years and 6 months. While clarifying, the community maintained that Okiripa had completed his 4 years of undisputed tenure based on the 2016 consent judgment that settled the tenure issue, plus 1 year 6 months of alleged tenure elongation against the people’s will.

The statement read, “70% of his executives are no longer with him in this desperate tenure elongation battle. Only three people like John Lokiri, Clement Numah and Michael Konkemele are still parading as executives with him. It is unfortunate that desperate four people whose administration are yet to account for a huge amount of community funds disturbing the peace of the community because of greed and selfishness,” a community source said.

However, the community reaction followed the judgment of the Delta State High Court sitting in Effurun which dismissed the Fundamental Rights suit filed by Prince Preye Okrikpa seeking to stop his investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of alleged loots in his administration.

In Suit No: EHC/FHR/7/2026 delivered on May 13, 2026, Justice Roli Daibo Harriman held that the EFCC invitation to Okrikpa was lawful and awarded N1,000,000 cost each against him in favour of the two sets of respondents.

The EFCC, in its counter-affidavit, told the court that Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited’s operations caused six oil spills between 2022 and 2025 in Odidi and paid N473,000,000 as compensation, which was received by his appointee, Stephen Efejuku Esq., with bank analysis showing several transfers to Okrikpa. The community said the money never got to the people.

Beyond the N473 million, the community alleged that other payments including Loading Point, Rig payment, GMoU and Egwa 2 re-entry payments amounting to over N600,000,000 remain unaccounted for.

“Prince Preye Okrikpa who took EFCC to court and lost should hide in shame and return the community money he wasted in clubs. He should stop claiming leadership from hideout and go and clear his innocence with the EFCC,” Amb. Truston Gbenekama stated.

Our correspondents report that Amb. Gbenekama, who led the authentic leadership, was on ground to coordinate with the IYC leadership to ensure peace and order during the recent protest over the protracted oil spill in OML 42.