From trust to betrayal: The shocking fall of Akinwale Lawal
By Ayobami Ajose
For nearly a decade, Akinwale Lawal was more than just an accountant at the Hope for Tomorrow Foundation—he was a symbol of trust and dedication.
The Lagos-based charity, known for its work with underprivileged children, depended on Lawal’s expertise to manage its finances.
He was respected by colleagues and admired by the community, a man who seemed to represent integrity and selflessness.
Lawal’s story wasn’t uncommon. Born and raised in the bustling Surulere neighbourhood, he had worked his way up from humble beginnings.
He wasn’t flashy or ostentatious, and that endeared him to those around him. The charity’s directors, donors, and beneficiaries saw in him a man committed to doing good. His role at Hope for Tomorrow wasn’t just a job—it was a mission.
That’s why, when discrepancies in the foundation’s accounts started surfacing earlier this year, no one thought to look in Lawal’s direction.
The idea that he could be involved seemed unthinkable. He had handled the finances for years without issue. But the missing funds were undeniable, and an investigation was quietly launched. What followed left the organisation and the community in shock.
Over a period of five years, Lawal had been systematically syphoning off money meant for the children and families the foundation supported. It started small, barely noticeable—N100,000 here, N200,000 there. But over time, the amounts grew, eventually reaching over N200 million. The funds had been redirected into personal accounts, used to fund a lifestyle Lawal had kept hidden. He purchased luxury cars, took lavish trips, and even bought property in Lekki, one of Lagos’ most affluent areas.
When confronted with the evidence, Lawal’s colleagues were in disbelief. “This was someone we trusted completely,” said Tunde Ogunleye, the charity’s director. “He was like family to us. None of us could have imagined this.”
The fallout was immediate. Beneficiaries—children who relied on the foundation’s programs for education and healthcare—were the first to feel the impact. Projects were suspended as the charity scrambled to recover financially and repair its tarnished reputation. Donations slowed, with many former supporters feeling betrayed by the man they had trusted for so long.
In Surulere, where Lawal had been a respected community figure, the news spread quickly. Neighbours, friends, and even his church members couldn’t reconcile the man they knew with the fraudster now facing trial. Many were hurt, not just by the loss of money, but by the deep sense of betrayal from someone they had held in such high regard.
Lawal is now facing charges of fraud and embezzlement, with his trial still ongoing. The damage he has done, however, stretches far beyond the courtroom. The children who lost access to vital programs, the staff who worked tirelessly to help them, and the community that once celebrated Lawal as one of their own are all left picking up the pieces.
So, what can we learn from this painful story? Trust is a fragile thing. It’s the cornerstone of relationships, both personal and professional. But trust without accountability can be dangerous. In the case of Hope for Tomorrow, there were no checks, no oversight. Lawal’s betrayal serves as a stark reminder that trust should never blind us to the need for transparency.
Mrs. Folashade Adediran, a long-time donor, summed it up perfectly: “This whole ordeal has taught us that even the most trusted people need to be held accountable. We must never assume that trust alone is enough.”
In the end, Akinwale Lawal’s story is one of deep betrayal, but it also offers an important lesson—trust must be earned, and it must be protected through vigilance, transparency, and accountability.
