The Legislative Council of Ijebu East local government area in Ogun State has temporarily suspended Mr. Wale Adedayo, the Council Chairman, for a duration of three months due to allegations of 'financial mismanagement'. The legislators, in a letter titled "Financial Mismanagement of Hon. Wale Adedayo as Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government," have received multiple accusations against Mr. Adedayo. These accusations include his withdrawal of N4 million from the local government account for empowerment in 2022, which was not utilized for its intended purpose, as well as the improper expenditure of N2 million on the Isese festival on August 20, 2022.
Additionally, Mr. Adedayo is accused of collecting N250,000 as a duty tour allowance for himself and other officials in June 2023, as well as another N250,000 duty tour allowance for another engagement. Other allegations involve spending N426,000 on producing a report for the 2020 'Jigbo' festival in Ijebu East, even before he was officially elected, and the mismanagement of funds meant for Women in Politics in Ijebu East LG, which amounted to N350,000 in 2022.
Furthermore, expenses related to the commissioning of the Legislative Building on April 18, 2023, are mentioned, with entertainment and logistical costs reaching N350,000 and N295,000, respectively. The letter also highlights financial irregularities in projects, including the allocation of N8.2 million from phase 2 of a project for tables and chairs, resulting in the creation of only 20 chairs, and the disappearance of N20 million and N15 million sent from the state without corresponding project implementation.
Among the allegations is the awarding of two boreholes at an exorbitant price of N1.8 million each, totaling N3.6 million for just two boreholes in August 2023. It's noted that while Mr. Adedayo receives N3 million as monthly security votes, he has not paid the Vice Chairman's N300,000 monthly security vote for approximately five months, despite intervention attempts by ALGON Executives led by Hon. Tunde Emiola Gazal. There's also an inability to account for over N2.5 million left in the project account by the previous administration for the completion of a school at Kajola, Ogbere.
Mr. Adedayo is also accused of unlawfully collecting taxes from Ijebu East Okada riders and drivers without Legislative Council approval, resulting in double taxation during a challenging period for the people of Ijebu East.
In light of these allegations, the House has resolved to conduct a comprehensive investigation and has temporarily suspended Mr. Adedayo for three months. He is required to transfer all Council properties to the Vice Chairman during this period. The Council Chairman must appear before the House on September 14, 2023. The Council Treasurer, through the Head of the Local Government Administration (HOLGA), is expected to provide the House with the Council's financial statements from the past two years, along with relevant documents and vouchers to facilitate the investigation.
These resolutions will also be communicated to the Governor of Ogun State and the Ogun State House of Assembly.
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