Delta Hospital Workers, Retirees Seek Oborevwori’s Intervention Over Missing N70m Cooperative Savings.

Delta Hospital Workers, Retirees Seek Oborevwori’s Intervention Over Missing N70m Cooperative Savings.

Serving hospital workers and retirees in Delta State have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene in a dispute involving more than ₦70 million in cooperative savings they say they cannot access, amid allegations of financial mismanagement within the cooperative society.

The affected members belong to the Delta State Hospital Management Board Multipurpose Cooperative Society II. They are seeking assistance from the governor and the state Attorney General to recover their funds and resolve the prolonged dispute, which has reportedly left several members facing financial difficulties.

According to News reports, members have raised concerns over their inability to access savings accumulated through contributions made during their years of service. The situation has reportedly affected both serving employees and retirees who expected the cooperative to provide financial security, particularly after retirement.

Retirees Raise Concerns Over Unpaid Savings

Some retirees say the prolonged delay has disrupted their plans for life after public service, leaving them uncertain about when they will recover their accumulated contributions.

Herrieta and Julius Otobene, who retired from service in 2025, reportedly said they had more than ₦2 million tied up in the cooperative and were struggling to understand why they could not access their money.

Their experience highlights the potential consequences of unresolved disputes involving employee savings schemes, particularly for retirees who depend on accumulated contributions to meet their living expenses after leaving active service.

The cooperative’s president, Emelereta Emmanuel, has also appealed to the state government to facilitate the recovery of the funds and help members reclaim money and landed properties reportedly linked to the dispute.

Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

Members have accused previous executive committees of failing to properly account for funds collected during their tenure. However, these remain allegations, and the circumstances surrounding the disputed savings require a transparent investigation and an opportunity for all parties involved to respond.

Benjamin Amede, a lawyer representing members, reportedly said the dispute had resulted in multiple court cases before the Delta State Ministry of Justice intervened to explore an alternative dispute resolution process.

According to Amede, a meeting held on June 1 resulted in an understanding that the parties would withdraw their court cases, submit relevant account statements and organise an annual general meeting by September.

He said the members withdrew their case on June 18 but were still unable to recover their money. He also explained that the lack of access to funds had made it difficult to organise the proposed annual general meeting.

The dispute has reportedly extended to disagreements over the cooperative’s leadership, access to financial records and the handling of a petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Some members have called for a thorough investigation to establish how the funds were managed and determine responsibility for any financial irregularities.

Members Call for Government Intervention

Omogha Faith, another cooperative member, reportedly said disagreements over leadership and the release of relevant documents had complicated efforts to resolve the matter.

She appealed to Governor Oborevwori to direct the appropriate authorities to help members recover their savings, expressing concern about the pressure and alleged threats surrounding the dispute.

Israel Watite, an accountant at a hospital in Sapele and the cooperative’s secretary, described the situation as distressing, noting that members had contributed for years in the expectation that their savings and dividends would be available when needed.

Watite also alleged that the cooperative’s financial difficulties extended beyond the currently disputed ₦70 million. He estimated that accumulated contributions over more than two decades could amount to at least ₦800 million and potentially exceed ₦1 billion.

That broader estimate has not been independently verified and should be distinguished from the more than ₦70 million that members are currently seeking to recover.

When contacted, Joseph Okotie, identified as the Director of Cooperatives under the Delta State Ministry of Trade and Investment, reportedly declined to comment at the time, saying he was in church. Subsequent calls and messages seeking his response had reportedly gone unanswered as of the publication of the original report.

Accountability and Workers’ Financial Security

The controversy raises broader concerns about the management of cooperative societies established to help public servants save money, obtain loans and build financial security for retirement.

Such arrangements depend on transparent accounting, proper financial controls, regular reporting and effective oversight to protect members’ contributions.

For the affected Delta hospital workers and retirees, the immediate priority remains recovering their savings and obtaining clear answers about the management of the cooperative’s finances.

The appeal to Governor Oborevwori places renewed attention on the role of relevant state authorities in facilitating a resolution, ensuring accountability and helping affected members pursue legitimate claims.

A credible resolution would require the reconciliation of financial records, clarification of the cooperative’s outstanding obligations and an impartial determination of the allegations against its former leadership.

As of the latest report, the dispute remained unresolved, with affected members continuing to seek government intervention.