Opaqueness, Blackmail Allegations, and Loss of Trust: A Crisis Brewing in Benin Club Golf Section
By Mathew Idahosa
In a shocking twist that has thrown the Benin Club Golf Section (BCGS) into further controversy, the Section Captain, Mr. Stephen Ebaretonbofa, has revealed—via a message on the official BCGS WhatsApp platform—that the issues surrounding the fraudulent repairs of the section’s Sienna bus, as well as the case involving Mr. Emmanuel Usoh, have been investigated and “determined.”
This revelation has raised serious concerns among members, especially given that no formal report of this so-called investigation has been made available to the general membership, five months after the matter was first publicly discussed on the BCGS WhatsApp platform.
It is troubling that the Captain of the Golf Section could secretly constitute an investigative committee, issue them terms of reference without informing members, receive their report in private, and then sit on the findings without disclosure. This complete lack of transparency not only calls the legitimacy of the investigation into question, but also reinforces existing suspicions that Mr. Ebaretonbofa may be deliberately covering up fraudulent activities to protect members of the Executive Committee.
If the investigation was truly conducted and its findings finalized, then the Captain must, in the interest of accountability, make the report public. The membership has a right to know how issues that affect the collective image and integrity of the section are being handled—especially where fraud and mismanagement are involved.
“Our own ongoing investigation into the conduct of the Executive Committee since these allegations of fraud emerged has revealed a disturbing pattern: consistent misinformation, blackmail tactics, and manipulation of facts to reach predetermined conclusions.”
A visit to the Textile Mill Police Station, where Mr. Emmanuel Usoh was granted bail during the course of the fraud investigation exposed further inconsistencies. Contrary to claims made in the suspension letter issued to Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Hassan Aliyu did not petition the Secretary or the Golf Section. His only communication was with the police—to verify a statement allegedly made to him by one Mr. Zika, who, notably, is not a member of the Benin Club.
Furthermore, a discreet inquiry has revealed that AVM Aliyu is entirely unaware of any recent moves to reverse decisions relating to Ms. Habiba Oyarekhua, who was recently expelled from the Golf Section. These discoveries further cast doubt on the integrity of internal processes currently being managed by the Captain and his Executive Committee.
“It is important to remind the leadership that the members of the Benin Club Golf Section are not powerless. When decisions taken by the Executive Committee are perceived as fraudulent, malicious, or based on blackmail, the members retain the right to override such decisions through an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). The leadership must realize that they are accountable to the members and not the other way around.”
“As of today, confidence in the Executive Committee led by Mr. Stephen Ebaretonbofa has reached an all-time low. Members have expressed zero trust in any investigative panel hand-picked by the Captain, just as they no longer believe in the neutrality of the current Disciplinary Committee, which has routinely acted to carry out the Captain’s agenda rather than the will of the general membership.”
Until the report on the Sienna bus and Mr. Usoh is made public,these concerns will only continue to fester. There is an urgent need to call for an emergency general meeting to address members concern instead of trying to shut members by suspending them. Meanwhile, we remain committed to unearthing the truth and exposing the depth of mismanagement and potential financial misconduct under this current leadership of Stephen Ebaretonbofa who has kept all fraud allegations a top secret.
Accountability is not optional. Transparency is not a favour. It is time for the Captain and his team to come clean or step aside.
