The Concerned Residents of Eti-Osa East LCDA, on Thursday, called for the suspension and investigation of the council chairman, Hon. John Campos Ogundare over alleged misappropriation of the 2023 budgets of the council to the tune of N1.9billion.
The group made the call in a petition addressed to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly , Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa titled, “Call for Suspension of the chairman of Eti-Osa East LCDA over allegations of misappropriation of N1.9billion from the 2023 budget.”
Coordinator of the group, Comrade Segun Williams, who led scores of peaceful protesters to the assembly complex referenced a report signed by the leader and majority leader of the district which indicted the council chairman of diverting funds earmarked for critical sectors, including health and education.
He said the council chairman was invited on two different occasions by the Committee of the State House of Assembly but he failed to honour the invitation.
Speaking further on the allegations levelled against the council chairman, he said, “Among the allegations were failure to pay the running costs of various departments of the council based on the 2023 budget, neglecting balance payments to past political office holders against government advice, unauthorised project execution and contract awards without legislative approval, non-adherence to the 2023 budget for school and primary Health Care construction and renovation and failure to comply with legislative requests for income and expenditure records amongst others.”
He therefore called on the leadership of the House to suspend the council helmsman while also urging the lawmakers to investigate the alleged wrongdoings and prosecute if found wanting.
Addressing the protesters, a lawmaker representing Lagos Mainland 2, Hon. Adebola Shabi, and two other lawmakers, on behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, assured of thorough and unbiased investigation into the allegations.
He commended the protesters for the peaceful conduct of the protest, adding that, “We have been on this and on behalf of the Hon. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, you will get justice. We are here to serve you so be rest assured you will get justice. Like you said, he was invited, I was part of the committee set up by the House to investigate the allegations. We are conducting our investigations and I assure you justice will be served.”