A group of 15 persons and corporate organisations have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, demanding the investigation and prosecution of Comrade Kennedy Iyere over alleged fraudulent dealings, obtaining by false pretense and related conduct, which have caused them substantial financial losses.
The petitioners made up of individuals, hotels, and news platforms, also alleged a common scheme involving false representation, fraudulent inducement, diversion or conversion of funds, conspiracy with other persons to defraud them.
The petition dated 10th August 2026 was signed by the Principal Petitioner, Obinna Ukor, on behalf of other victims that include Dr. Okechukwu Duru, Silver Green Hotel Limited, Valencia Hotels Abuja, Mr. Climate Ignatius, Susan Great, Gbenga Okenla, Pastor Shedrack Oka, Mr. Obinna Ifeandu, The Nigeria Start-Up News, Everyday News NGR, The Whisper.ng, and Hero TV.
In one of the cases cited, the petitioners alleged that Iyere obtained approximately N14m from Mr. Ukor based on representations and assurances, which Ukor latter discovered to be false, misleading and made with fraudulent intent.
“Comrade Kennedy Iyere, having obtained the said monies, failed to apply and/or account for the same in accordance with the representations and circumstances upon which the monies were released to him.
“Rather, the suspect retained, diverted and/or dealt with the funds in a manner inconsistent with the purpose for which they were obtained.
“Notwithstanding repeated demands and requests for an explanation and/or restitution, he has failed and/or refused to satisfactorily account for the monies.
“Of particular concern is the subsequent discovery that, notwithstanding the representations upon which he parted with his funds, the Suspect had received and/or was dealing with substantial sums of money from other persons during the relevant period.
“The circumstances surrounding the manner in which Comrade Kennedy Iyere induced the Petitioner to part with the said money are matters requiring urgent and comprehensive criminal investigation,” the petition read.
Consequently, the petitioners prayed the IGP to take immediate steps to investigate and bring the suspect to book.
“In the circumstances, we respectfully request the IGP to cause an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the activities and dealings of Comrade Kennedy Iyere…and, where necessary and lawful, take appropriate steps to secure his attendance before the investigating authorities; trace the movement of the monies allegedly obtained from the petitioners and other victims; take appropriate steps, in accordance with the law, towards the recovery of monies or property established to have been unlawfully obtained; and where sufficient evidence is established, charge the respondent and any other person found culpable to court for the appropriate criminal offences,” the petitioners prayed.
Meanwhile, the IGP had since approved the petition back in August. The principal petitioner is demanding accelerated actions, noting to prevent the continued rip-off of other unsuspecting members of the public.
It it also recalled that former Police IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, had in 2025 ordered Iyere’s arrest over allegations of criminal breach of trust, obtaining by false pretence, cheating and impersonation.
According to TheCable, an online news platform, the ex-IGP in a letter dated November 13, 2025 a letter signed by Bukola Kuti, his Principal Staff Officer III, the IGP read: “I forward herewith copy of letter dated 12th November, 2025 received from Valen Legal Practitioners on the above-underlined subject and write to convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you deal in line with the IGP’s extant directives on investigation as contained in Police Wireless Message CB:4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/ VOL.121/48 DTO: 211340/11/2024 and CB:4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL. 121/110, DTO: 241300/01/2025 respectively,” the letter reads.
In the petition written by Valen Legal Practitioners on behalf of its clients, the law firm accused Iyere of allegedly defrauding Silver Green Hotel Limited and several other individuals to the tune of N113,508,757.
According to the law firm, Iyere allegedly “fraudulently obtained the sum of N26,000,000 from our client, Silver Green Hotel Limited, under the false representation that he was a staff of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and that the government would sponsor a purported youth empowerment programme tagged ‘YEIDEP’”.
The law firm alleged that the activist defrauded the hotel and other individuals with the tactics of “false promises of government-backed projects”.
“We continue to act as Solicitors to Silver Green Hotel Limited and several other individuals and corporate bodies who have been defrauded by one Iyere Kennedy Ebhenya, hereinafter referred to as ‘the suspect’,” the petition reads.
