Lagos Journalist Arrested After Exposing N350Million Constituency Project Fraud Linked To Lawmaker, Benjamin Olabinjo

A Lagos-based journalist, Mr. Zaccheaus Ukhueleigbe, has been arrested after publishing an investigative report exposing how Hon. Benjamin Olabinjo, member representing Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, allegedly collected over N350 million for constituency projects that were never executed.

The report, titled “Revealed: How Ifako-Ijaiye Residents Suffer Despite Millions of Naira Received For Constituency Projects,” detailed how several government-funded projects under Olabinjo’s constituency allocations were either abandoned, incomplete, or completely non-existent, despite full budgetary releases.

According to the journalist, Olabinjo, popularly known as BAO, allegedly received more than N350 million between 2021 and 2024 for projects ranging from road rehabilitation and solar-powered streetlights to vocational training and youth empowerment programmes. However, residents told reporters that none of these projects were delivered.

The investigation also revealed that several of the projects were awarded to companies allegedly linked to the lawmaker. Attempts by Ukhueleigbe to reach Olabinjo for comment were unsuccessful, as his media aide, identified as Mr. Yekini, reportedly refused to provide any clarification.