Ogun Assembly moves to probe alleged diversion of LG funds

By Adejoke Adeleye/Ogun

The Ogun House of Assembly on Thursday initiated step to probe alleged diversion of allocation to local governments in the state with the summon of the Accountant General, Babatunde Aregbesola and members of the State Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC).

The Speaker of the Ogun House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo. issued the invitation while presiding over a plenary session at the Assembly Complex on Thursday.

He said the meeting of the lawmakers with the Accountant-General and the JAAC Committee members would hold tomorrow, Friday, 1st September, 2023 at 1:00pm.

Olumo, who explained that the invitation was premised on Section 128(2) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), added that the State House of Assembly was empowered to investigate and take necessary actions to expose corrupt practices.

According to him, the invitation became imperative given the myriad of messages and mails received from different quarters regarding the Federal Allocation to Local Government Councils in the State.

He further appealed to the people of the State, especially residents of Ijebu East Local Government Area to maintain peace and orderliness with an assurance that the Assembly would perform its statutory duties in line with the rule of law.

Recall that Wale Adedayo, the Chairperson of Ijebu East Local Government had in a recent petition to the anti-graft agencies accused Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun of hijacking funds allocated to the 20 councils in the state.

However, following controversies generated by the claim, some of the chairpersons met Governor Abiodun on Tuesday and recanted.

The LG chiefs also apologised to Governor Abiodun.

Reports indicated that Adedayo who leveled the allegation against the Governor was impeached by some councilors in the local government today.