- Heads For Court To Challenge ‘Illegal Suspension‘
Speaker, Ogun State House Assembly, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, who was recently docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly stealing billions of naira from the bank accounts of the Ogun Assembly, has allegedly launched a personal vendetta against his colleagues in the House whom he perceived to be sticklers for probity and accountability in the House business, especially in matters concerning the Assembly’s financial transactions.
A former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Dare Kadiri, made this disclosure on Wednesday 21 September, 2022 in a reaction to his suspension by a faction of the Ogun State House of Assembly loyal to Oluomo, last week.
In media statement entitled: “Corruption fighting back in Ogun Assembly,” Hon. Kadiri, who represents Ijebu North State Constituency, said his purported suspension by the House was orchestrated by Hon. Oluomo in the Speaker’s attempt to muzzle him and other honest lawmakers in the House into silence.
Kadiri added that the Speaker was also out to intimidate members of the Assembly advocating for transparency and accountability in the finances of the House from cooperating with the EFCC in the anti-graft body’s prosecution of Oluomo.
In the statement which he personally signed, Hon. Kadiri said he was not surprised that Oluomo had orchestrated his suspension alongside another lawmaker, Hon. Solomon Osho.
Hon. Kadiri wrote: “It should not surprise right-thinking Nigerians either, especially those who have been following political developments in Ogun State in recent time.
“The attempt to silence lawmakers advocating accountability, probity and transparency in the House finances is tantamount to corruption fighting back. Yes, corruption is fighting back in Ogun Assembly. Those who are incensed by the recent arrest and arraignment of Speaker Olakunle Oluomo for fraud are desperate to cover their tracks but their embarrassing scandal is too late for a cover-up.
“At the plenary on September 13, 2022, the Speaker announced the suspension of two Honourable members without following due process. No prior allegations were levelled, no committee investigated any charges, no vote decided any sanction on the floor of the House. Only the unilateral impulse of Mr. Speaker was just at play.
“In this instance, Mr. Speaker was the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge at the same time. His action was rushed to achieve a predetermined end but that would never be the end.
“The suspension of lawmakers who have faithfully and effectively represented their constituencies is illegal, malicious and unwarranted political vendetta. The action is a classical case of gross abuse of office and therefore null and void!
“As a law-abiding Nigerian, I have made adequate consultations with my lawyers and resolved to challenge the illegal suspension in court. The EFCC case is just a preamble. More cases are still in the offing against the Speaker. I am a firm believer in the rule of law and expect the court of law to do the needful.
“One of the cardinal programmes of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting corruption. All well-meaning citizens must join hands with the President to tackle corruption wherever it rears its ugly head. If we all sit idly and allow corruption to thrive, then our country is in deep trouble.
“I’m aware of some false allegation making the rounds that I and certain lawmakers had signed impeachment notice against Mr. Speaker. What is my business in signing impeachment notice against someone who is already under prosecution for corruption?
“The allegation is merely a figment of the imagination of a drowning man clutching at every straw to survive imminent doom. I have said it before that those who breached the law with impunity must understand that they can only run, they can’t hide. No matter how hard they try, Mr. Speaker and his backers can never fool the good people of Ogun State.”
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