The councilors of Ijebu East Local Government in Ogun State have taken the decision to impeach Wale Adedayo, who was suspended as the chairman of the local government. The impeachment is reportedly based on allegations of financial misappropriation and the diversion of council funds, among other charges brought against him.
Fasheyi Akindele, the leader of the legislative council of the local government, made this announcement through a statement.
In response to his suspension and the impeachment process, Adedayo stated that his actions were not driven by personal interests but rather in the interest of the residents of the local government. This suggests that he views his actions as being in the best interest of the community he served as chairman.
The LGA’s statement read, “The councilors of Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State earlier today impeached the suspended chairman of the local government, 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 councilors 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 law only allows him to spend till March 2023.
“Adedayo also opened up that he used N5.2m 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 afoul 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 deliberation, the impeachment of the chairman was put to votes. 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.”
Adedayo had earlier in the morning appeared before the legislators of the local government to defend the allegation of financial misappropriation and maladministration leveled against him.
Our correspondent gathered that Adedayo arrived at the local government secretariat in the company of his two aides around 7:47 a.m. He was called to appear before the councilors around 10:22 a.m. and came out around 12:02 p.m.
The councilors were said to have been brought into the local government in a white Coaster civilian bus with Reg N OGUN AH 782 DED guarded by the police in a white Toyota Hilux patrol van.
At least about 40 security officers drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Directorate of State Security Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were reported to be on the ground to maintain law and order.
Adedayo, while speaking on his appearance before the councillors said he was not fighting any personal cause with the government in power in the state, but fighting for the good people of the local government.
He said, “I was at Ogbere this morning to honor 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.”
The suspension and subsequent impeachment of Wale Adedayo, the chairman of Ijebu East Local Government in Ogun State, have been surrounded by allegations and controversies:
1. Suspension: Adedayo was initially suspended for three months by the councilors of the Ijebu East Legislative Council, who cited alleged maladministration and financial malpractices as the reasons. During this suspension period, the Vice Chairman of the council was directed to assume leadership responsibilities.
2. Allegations Against State Government: Before his suspension, Adedayo had written a letter to former governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, accusing the current state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, of diverting funds meant for the development of the local government, amounting to approximately N10.8 billion. He also filed a petition with anti-graft agencies regarding these allegations.
3. Denial by Joint Account and Allocation Committee: The Joint Account and Allocation Committee in Ogun State, responsible for managing federal allocations for local governments, rejected Adedayo’s allegations. They stated that all funds approved by the committee went through the respective Local Council Accounts.
4. State Government’s Response: The state government denied any wrongdoing, asserting that no funds belonging to the local government were missing. They also claimed that they had consistently supplemented the allocations for the local councils to help meet their financial obligations.
5. Government’s Position on Impeachment: According to sources within the government, the state government maintains that they were not involved in the impeachment proceedings. They consider it a matter solely between Adedayo and the legislative council, carried out in accordance with constitutional duties.
These developments highlight a complex situation involving allegations of financial mismanagement, counterclaims, and a dispute between the local government leadership and legislative council.
