Councillors suspend Ogun LG chair over alleged gross misconduct

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Ado-Odo/Ota Legislative Council in Ogun State has passed a motion seeking the immediate suspension of the Chairman of the Local Government, Alhaji Lawal Adewale Wasiu over alleged acts of gross misconduct, financial impropriety, insubordination and abuse of office.

The motion, sponsored by Hon. Asalu Aina Musediq, representing Ota Ward 2, was moved during the council’s plenary session held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Ado-Odo/Ota Legislative Chamber.

In the motion, the Legislative Council accused the Chairman of persistently refusing to present the statutory Income and Expenditure Account of the Local Government to them despite several official requests in line with the provisions of Section 52, Part V of the Ogun State Local Government Law 2000 (as amended).

Hon. Musediq stated that the council had, on no fewer than four occasions, written to the Chairman demanding the financial records for legislative scrutiny, but he allegedly failed to comply, offering either excuses or no response.

“This deliberate refusal to render an account of the Local Government’s financial operations is not only a breach of the law, but raises serious suspicion of financial impropriety, administrative impunity and abuse of office,” he declared.

The motion also accused the Chairman of consistently disregarding legislative resolutions, invitations and correspondences from the Council, an act the lawmakers described as a “gross display of disrespect for the legislative arm” and a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.

Hon. Musediq cited relevant sections of the Ogun State Local Government Law, noting that the Chairman’s conduct contravened Sections 37(11), 52(f), and 52(i) of the law, all of which outline the duties and accountability requirements of a local government chairman.

He emphasized that such behaviour undermines the principles of good governance, accountability and transparency, the very foundation upon which the third tier of government is built.

Following deliberations on the motion, the Council resolved that the Chairman should be suspended from office with immediate effect for a period of three months, pending the outcome of a thorough investigation into the financial and administrative management of the council.

During the suspension period, the motion stipulates that the Chairman “shall not have access to any Local Government accounts, documents, or financial instruments”.

“He cannot issue instructions, sign letters, or represent the Local Government in any official capacity, retain any government property, including vehicles, documents and communication devices, which must be returned to the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA).”

The Council also directed that the Vice Chairman, Hon. Abosede Balogun, should immediately assume office as the Acting Chairman and perform all statutory functions in accordance with the law.

Furthermore, the Clerk of the Legislative Council was instructed to communicate the resolution to all relevant authorities, including the Head of Local Government Administration, the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Ogun State House of Assembly and security agencies, as well as the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), for further necessary action.