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Lagos Assembly Suspends Alimosho LG Chairman Over Alleged Misconduct

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The Lagos State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon, for alleged misconduct. The suspension was announced on Monday during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The decision is expected to take immediate effect, and the vice chairman, Akinpelu Johnson, has been directed to take over the leadership of the council.

Assembly Alleges Misconduct and Defiance

The suspension of Hon. Jelili Sulaimon comes amid a series of accusations leveled against him by the Assembly. In a statement issued by the spokesperson for Speaker Obasa, Eromosele Ebhomele, the Assembly stated that the decision was unanimous, with all lawmakers voting to remove the council chairman from office indefinitely.

The primary allegations against Sulaimon include defiance, non-compliance with directives from the Assembly, and a failure to manage public funds properly. These issues were brought to light by the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon.

Okanlawon, in his motion for Sulaimon’s suspension, recalled an incident in April 2024, when violence broke out in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Alimosho Local Government. The chaos led to the tragic death of one Michael Ajayi. According to Okanlawon, after a thorough investigation, it was revealed that Sulaimon had played a significant role in instigating the unrest.

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“Sulaimon Ignored the Assembly’s Directives” – Okanlawon

Okanlawon further explained that the Assembly had taken steps to investigate the matter, including inviting all stakeholders involved in the violence. However, Sulaimon, according to Okanlawon, displayed acts of misconduct and continuously disregarded the committee’s invitations and directives.

“He has not only ignored the directives of this legislative House but has also shown a blatant disregard for our investigations into the incidents in Alimosho,” Okanlawon stated during the plenary session. He emphasized that Sulaimon’s actions were in clear violation of his responsibilities as a public servant and local government chairman.

In addition to his alleged involvement in the Iyana-Ipaja unrest, Okanlawon accused the chairman of failing to follow procurement processes and mismanaging public funds. He cited several irregularities in the council’s financial records, which were uncovered during the Assembly’s investigation.

Lawmakers Support Suspension Over Financial Mismanagement

Several lawmakers at the plenary echoed Okanlawon’s sentiments, expressing concern over the council chairman’s leadership and financial conduct. The Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, who seconded the motion, stressed that Sulaimon’s suspension would send a strong message to other local government officials.

“The Alimosho council chairman does not follow procurement processes or the budget,” Adams said. “There has been a lot of misconducts from him, and I support that he be suspended indefinitely.”

Adams added that Sulaimon’s failure to adhere to the Assembly’s oversight could set a dangerous precedent for other local government chairmen across Lagos if left unchecked.

Auditor-General’s Report Highlights Financial Irregularities

Another key voice in support of the suspension was Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government. Akinsanya referred to a report submitted by the Lagos State Auditor-General, which outlined a number of financial discrepancies in Alimosho Local Government under Sulaimon’s leadership.

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The report, which was reviewed by the Assembly, highlighted several cases of non-compliance with financial regulations and inconsistencies in the council’s financial statements. Akinsanya stressed that these irregularities were of great concern to the Assembly and warranted immediate action.

“The Auditor-General’s report clearly shows that the chairman has failed to comply with financial regulations, and this has brought significant irregularities to light,” Akinsanya noted. “Such discrepancies cannot be overlooked, and I fully support the motion for his suspension.”

Speaker Obasa Calls for Immediate Implementation

After hearing from the lawmakers, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa moved swiftly to ensure the implementation of the Assembly’s resolution. Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to immediately communicate the decision to the relevant authorities, including the management of the Alimosho Local Government.

In addition, Obasa directed that the vice chairman of Alimosho, Akinpelu Johnson, take over the duties of the suspended chairman without delay. The Assembly also instructed the council’s manager and treasurer to provide Johnson with the necessary support to ensure the smooth running of the local government.

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