On Thursday, the councilors of Ijebu East Local Government in Ogun State carried out the impeachment of Hon. Wale Adedayo, the suspended Chairman of the local government, citing allegations of financial misappropriation, diversion of council funds, and other charges against him.
The announcement was made by Hon. Fasheyi Akindele, Leader of the Legislative Council of the local government, who stated that the embattled council boss admitted to the allegations, leading to his suspension.”
The statement reads “The councilors of Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State earlier today impeached the suspended Chairman of the local government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, over allegations of financial misappropriation and diversion of council funds, among other allegations made against him.
“After a series of invitations by the House, which was ignored in the past, Adedayo eventually appeared before the legislative council today as the councilors continued their probe of the chairman.
“The suspended Chairman owned up before the full house of 11 councillors that he diverted Federal allocations sent to the Council by the State Government and used them for purposes other than what the State Government approved.
“Adedayo also agreed that he spent the Council funds till August 2023, even when the budget was yet to be approved, whereas the laws only allow him to spend till March 2023.
“Adedayo also opened up that he used N5.2 million to produce 20 pieces of chairs and tables instead of the 290 chairs that the money was meant for as approved by the state government.
“On the issue of illegal levies and strikers to commercial transport operators in the local government, Adedayo said he thought the House had passed the Bill to that effect, but the Leader of the House reminded him that a bill if passed by the House, would have been jointly signed by the Leader of the House and the Council Chairman.
“That the chairman has run foul of the laws of the land, specifically the Ogun State Local Government Laws 2006 and committed serious impeachable offences was therefore established.
After about three hours of deliberation, the impeachment of the Chairman was put to vote. Five councilors voted for his impeachment, four voted against, with one abstention
“Therefore, the Leader of the House pronounced Mr. Wale Adedayo impeached as the Chairman of Ijebu East LG.”
Earlier in the morning, Adedayo presented himself before the local government legislators to address the allegations of financial misappropriation and maladministration lodged against him. Our Correspondent learned that Adedayo, accompanied by two aides, arrived at the local government secretariat at approximately 7:47 a.m. He was summoned to appear before the councilors at around 10:22 a.m. and concluded his session around 12:02 p.m.
The councilors were reportedly transported to the local government premises in a white Coaster civilian bus with Registration Number OGUN AH 782 DED, accompanied by police officers in a white Toyota Hilux patrol van. Approximately 40 security personnel from the police, the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were present to maintain order.
During his interaction with the councilors, Adedayo clarified that his actions were not driven by personal interests but were on behalf of the local government’s residents and their well-being.
Adedayo said, “I was at Ogbere this morning to honour the invitation of the Legislative Council. I did not go in with any documents. I referred them to all files in the office to guide them in the investigation.
“I’m aware they were being sponsored from Abeokuta, but they denied it. The bus that brought them into the council secretariat is from Abeokuta, it belongs to the state government. I don’t have any issue with that.
“I told them to be thorough in their investigation because posterity will judge each and every one of us. I am not fighting for myself. I am doing this in the interest of Ijebu East Local Government.”
“Meanwhile, I got information now that after I left the place, the Leader of the House pushed a motion for impeachment. Five of the Councillors along with the Leader supported the motion.
“I told them this morning they were acting a script written by those in Abeokuta. All the documents about the allegations against me are in the office. But I know Mr. Governor is offended that we opened up to the public about how the Federal Allocation belonging to Ijebu East Local Government was being spent.
“I have done my duty as an Afenifere by letting our Leader know why we have not been able to do much since we got into office. The rest is for the court to decide.”
