Benjamin Kuti, aka Oluomo of Derby, resigns as NIUK President after admitting guilt in a £100,000 fraud controversy that rocked the diaspora
[dropcap]B[/dropcap]enjamin Kuti, popularly known as Oluomo of Derby, has resigned as President of the Nigerians in the UK Community (NIUK) after admitting guilt in a £100,000 fraud controversy.
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His resignation follows weeks of intense pressure from the community and widespread criticism over financial mismanagement.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle (@Oluomoofderby), Kuti expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging a lack of transparency and accountability in handling NIUK’s finances.
“I regret my lack of absolute accountability and transparency to the community and take full responsibility for the turn of events over the past couple of years,” he wrote.
He also pleaded for forgiveness from NIUK members, promising to refund all “stipends” received from community funds by March 2025, although the exact amount remains undisclosed.
Kuti announced that he would step down once NIUK schedules elections for a new President. In the interim, he proposed that a five-member National Executive Board (NEB) be elected immediately to oversee the organisation’s affairs.
He also assured the community that all official posts from NIUK’s social media accounts would require NEB approval.
Despite resigning as President, Kuti stated that he would remain a PSC (Person with Significant Control) in the registered NIUK company, a move that could raise concerns about continued influence over the organisation.
Kuti’s resignation comes after revelations that he mismanaged over £100,000 belonging to NIUK. Reports indicate that he secretly registered the community as a company rather than a charity organisation, enabling him to enter commercial deals without oversight.
One of the NIUK founders, Dr. Dipo Awojide, accused Kuti of monetising the community by signing undisclosed partnerships with brands like Lemfi, a migrant-focused international money transfer company.
Further allegations suggest that Kuti silenced dissenting voices within NIUK by deleting posts and removing members who questioned his financial dealings.
Critics pointed out the irony of his public advocacy for accountability in Nigerian politics while failing to uphold the same principles within the diaspora community.
With Kuti’s resignation, NIUK now faces a leadership vacuum and a challenging transition period.
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While he has promised cooperation with authorities and transparency with ongoing police investigations, community members remain sceptical about whether he will fully account for the missing funds.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
