UK-based Obidient Leader Under Fire for Alleged £100k Fraud, Faces Calls to Resign
The President of “Nigerians in UK” (NIUK), Mr. Benjamin Kuti—universally known on social media as “Oluomo of Derby” and a high-profile supporter of Peter Obi—now finds himself engulfed in a financial scandal. NIUK officials have accused him of hijacking the community’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle to manage personal affairs and forging secret deals totaling over £100,000 .
Accusations and Secretive Deals
Dr. Dipo Awojide, an original founder of NIUK, condemned Oluomo for transforming a communal support group into a personal moneymaking enterprise. He specifically alleges that Oluomo negotiated multiple undisclosed partnerships—most notably with Lemfi, a migrant money-transfer service—amassing close to £45,000 over two years. Further allegations hint at a staggering £100,000 paid by community moderators before being abruptly dismissed following inquiries into the finances .
Corporate Registration Raises Questions
Unlike known diaspora groups elsewhere, NIUK’s structure was altered in late 2022 when Oluomo registered it as a private company—not a registered charity. Under his leadership and along with two other executives, Violet Ibeh and Sikuru Owolewa, the platform reportedly secured commercial partnerships with at least four brands—including Lemfi and EverythingdeyUK—without transparent disclosure to its 20,000+ members .
Furthermore, posts by community members featuring competitors of partner brands were routinely censored or deleted—further fueling concerns over unilateral power and lack of accountability.
Community Pushback & Response
As criticisms grew, NIUK maintained in a statement denouncing Dr. Awojide’s claims, confirming the group’s private company status and announcing plans to eventually register as a charity in early 2025. They also affirmed that financial audits for 2022–2023 are accessible on their website, with the next audit set to be published in November 2025. A town hall meeting to share further updates was scheduled for February 2, 2025.
Resignation & Promises of Reform
On his official X account, Benjamin Kuti formally admitted his failures in transparency and accountability, stating he “regrets his lack of absolute accountability and transparency to the community,” and accepted full responsibility for the situation over past years .
In a detailed announcement, Oluomo outlined plans that include:
1. Resigning as NIUK President and moderator after free and fair elections.
2. Establishing an interim five-member National Executive Board (NEB) to oversee operations.
3. Compelling himself to submit to NEB audits and potential removal for misconduct.
4. Providing police report outcomes and community updates.
5. Ceding all publication approvals on official X content to the NEB.
6. Disclosing that he lacks direct control of NIUK’s bank, email, or company credentials.
7. Seeking forgiveness and pledging commitment to NIUK’s success.
8. Promising to refund all “stipends” received—notably before March 2025 .
What Lies Ahead
Oluomo’s admission and planned reforms come amidst intense scrutiny and diminished confidence. The emergence of secret commercial contracts, alleged suppression of dissenting voices, and control over official social channels have severely eroded trust. Whether the upcoming elections, restructuring of financial control, and his pledge to reimburse funds will restore credibility remains to be seen.
Dr. Awojide and other concerned members await independent audit reports and the publication of police findings. Meanwhile, NIUK supporters are urging transparent leadership and institutional checks to prevent future misappropriation.
The NIUK saga highlights the challenge of diaspora-led online communities transitioning into formal organisations—and raises critical questions about accountability, governance, and public trust in digital civic spaces.