Group Blasts Lagos Lawmakers

Basking in the euphoria of the six weeks break which terminated Monday, members of the Lagos  State House of Assembly could only feel delighted as they gathered for plenary on Monday.

However, unknown to them, a bombshell awaited them. And immediately the Speaker, Rt. Hon.  Adeyemio Ikuforiji, asked if there was any letter to the House, a hush fell on the whole  Assembly as the Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, Sola Ogayemi, read the one by the True Face of  Lagos, the group that has been alleging financial misappropriation against the State Governor,  Babatunde Raji Fashola.

First, the group reminded the members of their job as lawmakers. Then the group dealt the first  blow: “Members of the legislature are so elected to defend, first hand, the interest of the  electorate. This makes them important public officials.

“But wherever the legislative arm makes itself susceptible to clandestine compromises, it makes  the electorate vulnerable to executive recklessness.

“That is virtually the situation we have on ground now in Lagos State. Very regrettably so.”

The group said it was forced to believe that the lawmakers have decided to play ball with the  executive arm because six months after allegations were made against the State Governor,  nothing had been done by the House.

“All that we have had so far are mere official foot-dragging exhibited by elaborate  window-dressing in the guise of an inconsequential adhoc committee on a matter of which many of  us staked our very lives,” the letter read. While they blasted the governor for running to  court through a paid human rights activist, they also accused the House of sacrificing the  allegation to shield two of its members that have been accused of result falsification.

Vowing not to remain silent on the issue, the group said through the letter signed by Comrade  Adesina Adebayo and copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),  they would  soon begin to picket the House just as they would use every available means to ensure justice  is done on the issue.

Reacting to the allegation, the Speaker of the House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, denied that the  members were being used by the executive arm.

Hon Ajibayo Adeyeye, Chairman of the probe committee, who was accused of travelling with the  Governor, also denied the allegation.

—Eromosele Ebhomele