What began as a purported farmers’ empowerment programme promising beneficiaries up to ?3 million each has landed a 49-year-old man, Benjamin, in police custody in Osun State, amid allegations of fraud and the sale of unregistered herbal products.
The suspect, however, has rejected allegations of fraud, insisting that he was using proceeds from his herbal products business to support farmers through his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
Benjamin was arrested by detectives of the Osun State Police Command following a petition alleging fraudulent acts, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the arrest followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, after the command received complaints from concerned persons over the activities of the suspect.
According to Ojelabi, preliminary investigation revealed that Benjamin allegedly claimed that some philanthropists had engaged him to assist selected farmers with grants of up to ?3 million each.
The alleged initiative, known as the Farmer and Consumers Initiative, was introduced around May 2026.
Under the programme, participants were reportedly promised an initial payment of ?50,000 after the first week, followed by ?100,000 and ?200,000 at subsequent stages until each beneficiary received a total of ?3 million.
However, participants were allegedly required to pay ?5,000 as registration and introduce two other people into the programme, with each new participant also expected to pay the registration fee.
The police said about 4,000 people were reportedly registered through the complainants and allegedly fulfilled the stated requirements.
The complainants further alleged that approximately ?22,329,050 was paid to Benjamin in connection with the scheme.
As doubts grew over the legitimacy of the programme and the promised financial support failed to materialise as expected, the matter was reportedly taken to the police.
But beyond the alleged farmer-support scheme, investigators uncovered another issue: the suspect’s involvement in the production and distribution of herbal products without the required regulatory certification.
Among the products allegedly manufactured and distributed by Benjamin are Reumax Syrup, Kaye Bitters, Ginger, Extra-Time Detoxpro, Herbal Blood Tonic, Atura Herbal Balm, Herbal Tea and Exotic Fruit Flavor.
The discovery has now brought the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) into the matter.
The police said the herbal products aspect of the investigation had been referred to NAFDAC for necessary regulatory action, while the alleged fraud case remained under investigation.
Speaking with Saturday Tribune during an interview, Benjamin denied defrauding anyone, maintaining that his intention was to assist farmers with money from his personal business proceeds. He said he founded the Philanthropic Global Network Foundation in 2010 to assist needy and less-privileged people, adding that he later introduced an Agricultural Support Fund for farmers.
According to him, the controversy began after a man identified as Banji, who allegedly claimed to be a director of a farmers’ group, approached him about assisting farmers. Benjamin said his NGO agreed to support the farmers but imposed a condition that participants purchased one of his herbal products. He explained that the product was initially sold for ?5,000 but that he later reduced the price to ?3,500 and refunded ?1,500 to those who had already paid the higher amount.
‘I told the man that bringing his people to the programme was free, but on one condition: the person would buy one of my herbal products, which was sold for ?3,500,’ he said. Benjamin maintained that the condition was intended to promote his herbal products and not to defraud the participants.
He said the products included herbal blood tonic, bitters, detoxifier and balm, adding that proceeds from their sales were used to fund his assistance to farmers, and that about N50 million had been given out to some beneficiaries.
On the herbal business itself, Benjamin disclosed that he registered Bright Life International with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2025.
He said the company was established for the sale of herbal products and pharmaceutical equipment, including blood-monitoring machines. However, the suspect admitted that he had not registered his herbal products with NAFDAC before commencing their sale in April 2026.
The admission has consequently placed the regulatory aspect of the case within NAFDAC’s jurisdiction.
While Benjamin insists that his activities were motivated by a desire to help farmers rather than defraud them, the police said investigations into the alleged financial scheme are ongoing.