Ogun Assembly shuts out journalists from probe of alleged diversion of LG funds

By Adejoke Adeleye/ Ogun

Lawmakers in the Ogun House of Assembly on Friday shut out journalists from investigation of alleged diversion of funds belonging to the local governments in the state by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The lawmakers had on Thursday invited Ogun State Accountant General, Babatunde Aregbesola and members of the State Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) for the investigation of the allegation made against Governor Abiodun by the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo.

The Accountant General and the members of JAAC were ordered to appear at 1 pm today at the Ogun House of Assembly for the probe of alleged diversion of LG funds.

Speaker Olakunle Oluomo who presided over the session explained that the invitation was premised on Section 128(2) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He added that the section of the constitution empowered the Ogun Assembly 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.

However, journalists were shut out of the House of Assembly on Friday.

Effort to reach Chairman of the House committee on Information, Segun Kaka, was abortive has he refused to pick his call.

Meanwhile, councilors in the Ijebu East had suspended Adedayo despite his apologies to Governor Abiodun over the allegation of diversion of local government funds.

Adedayo, told journalists that he is was at the office of Department of State Security (DSS) on Friday.