By Our Reporter
A fresh social media post by Pastor Miebi Bribena, founder of Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society, has stirred questions over alleged financial transactions involving several individuals and institutions, with the businessman calling for greater scrutiny of what he described as unresolved financial matters.
In a Facebook post titled ‘The time to speak out has come,’ Bribena listed a number of alleged transactions involving Globus Bank, First Bank, Kingsley Feboke and other individuals.
However, the figures and allegations contained in the post could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Bribena alleged that a transaction involving Globus Bank amounted to N78 million, claiming that N46 million was recovered while N32 million remained unrecovered.
He further alleged that Kingsley Feboke and a group of individuals he identified as Pastor Orji, Mayowa, Pere Ere and the head of an information technology department, among others, were connected to transactions he valued at approximately N1 billion.
The post also alleged a separate $40,000 transaction involving Feboke and an aide to Bayelsa State First Lady, Dr Gloria Diri.
Another name mentioned in the post was King Mohammed Adah Ochacho, in relation to an alleged N170 million transaction.
Bribena also referred to what he described as a First Bank dispute involving more than $1 million, stating that the matter was already being litigated in court.
The most politically sensitive part of the post concerned an allegation against First Lady Gloria Diri.
Bribena claimed that the First Lady protected and shielded Kingsley Feboke, whom he said had a connection with her late aide, Victoria Feboke.
He also alleged that another aide to the First Lady was involved, saying he had previously been told that the aide was her sister’s son.
In a subsequent update, Bribena identified the aide as Henry Kinikanwo Ajikere.
The allegations have not been established by a court, and the individuals mentioned in the post have not, in the information available to this publication, been given an opportunity to respond to each specific claim.
Previous Baraza controversy
Bribena’s latest allegations come against the background of the long-running controversy surrounding Baraza Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
In 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission declared Miebi Bribena and his wife, Beatrice Bribena, wanted over allegations involving approximately N2 billion. The EFCC’s action followed complaints surrounding investors and the cooperative.
Bribena had previously maintained that some members of Baraza’s staff compromised the organisation’s systems and allegedly diverted more than N300 million. Reports at the time said he also indicated that a forensic audit was being undertaken.
Baraza’s own website currently identifies Kingsley Feboke as having served as its Director of Operations and records that he received an award on behalf of Bribena in 2020.
In March 2024, Bribena also published an open letter to Governor Douye Diri in which he discussed his relationship with the governor and alleged that Diri had personally provided funds to assist with settling Baraza investors. Those claims were reported at the time but were not independently established by the reports.
Questions now raised
Bribena’s latest post has therefore reopened questions about the financial affairs surrounding Baraza, its former personnel and alleged transactions involving banks and individuals.
The central questions are whether the amounts cited by Bribena can be substantiated through bank records, audited documents, court filings or other evidence; whether any of the alleged transactions resulted in financial losses; and whether the individuals named in the allegations had any involvement in wrongdoing.
There is also the question of the alleged more-than-$1-million First Bank dispute, which Bribena says is already before the court.
If the matter is indeed being litigated, the relevant court records could provide an independent avenue for establishing what is actually in dispute.
For now, the allegations remain claims contained in Bribena’s Facebook post, rather than findings of fact.
Those named — including Kingsley Feboke, Henry Kinikanwo Ajikere, First Lady Gloria Diri, Globus Bank and First Bank — should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and provide any documents or explanations relevant to the claims.
Daily NewsCraft will continue to monitor the matter and update readers if credible documentary evidence, official statements or court records emerge.