Concerned residents of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), yesterday, staged a protest at Lagos State House of Assembly demanding the removal of chairman, John Ogundare, who was allegedly indicted in a report by the legislative council for misappropriation of the 2023 budget of the council to the tune of N1.9 billion.
Asserting that the chairman does not deserve to remain in office, the residents sought his suspension pending the Lagos Assembly’s determination of the matter.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Segun Williams said the allegations against the chairman were contained in a report dated December 19, 2023, sent to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
Williams said in the report signed by the House Leader and Majority Leader, Eti-Osa East LCDA, the chairman was indicted for diverting funds earmarked for critical sectors, including health and education.
According to him, among the allegations were failure to pay running costs to various departments of the council based on the 2023 budget; neglecting balance payments to past political office holders against governmental advice; unauthorised project execution and contract awards without legislative approval; non-adherence to the 2023 budget for school and primary healthcare construction/renovation; and failure to comply with legislative requests for income and expenditure records.
The chairman, he claimed, has perpetually approved contracts above his limit of N35 million. Councillors also accused the treasurer and auditor of the LCDA of dereliction of duty by withholding financial details and full activities reports, he said, adding that before now, the council’s legislative arm had confronted the chairman over the deficit in the 2023 budget.
The Guardian gathered that Ogundare had been acting as the chairman of the tender’s board, contrary to the provision of the constitution, which reserves the duty to the vice chairman.
Williams said the council legislators and Concerned Taxpayers of Eti-Osa East LCDA also expressed concern over the alleged concealment of Ogundare’s financial misdeeds by influential political leaders and monarchs, urging the authorities to investigate and prosecute those found wanted.
Responding to the protest, a representative of the Lagos Mainland Constituency 2, Adebola Shabi, appreciated the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
“You will get justice on behalf of the leader of the House. We will deliver your message to the right quarters. We are doing our investigation and we will get to the root of the matter,” he said.
