Jaiyeola Andrews
5 November 2009
Abeokuta — Ogun state House of Assembly yesterday at its plenary, issued warrant of arrest on the Chairman of Yewa North local government council, Evagelist Olusoji Eweje and Head of Local Government Administration in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Counci, Mr F.O Ogunbona over alleged misappropriation of N700 million and failure to appear before it.
The Speaker of the Assembly Hon. Tunji Egbetokun in the warrant letter he sent to the Inspector General of police (IG) Mr. Ogbona Onovo which he read on the floor of the House, asked the IG to arrest the duo and compelled them to appear before the House next Wednesday.
The plenary which began around 3;30 pm, was characterized by heated debate on whether or not to issue the warrant of arrest.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr Remmy Hassan, who sponsored the motion, lamented that despite the leverage given to the five local Government Chairmen of the state to come before the House and give account of their books, N700 million had been misappropriated.
He said the N700 million was missing between the state Accountant-General, Mr Babatunde Salawu and five local governments of Yewa North, Ado-odo, Ewekoro, Ifo and Obafemi-Owode, adding that they needed to come before the Assembly and give account. of what they know of the misappropriated fund.
Hassan disclosed that the there was disparity between the amount given to the House by Salawu and what the five local Governments chairmen claimed.
He appealed to the Speaker to invoke order 129 (b) which empowers the House to issue warrant of arrest on any public officers who fails to honour the invitation of the legislature
Majority of the House supported the resolution that those found wanting and refusing to appear before it, should be issued warrant of arrest.
Checks by THISDAY revealed that the chairmen were said to have shunned several letters of invitation on the directives of the executive arm of Government.
The House also mandated its committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to investigate the expenditures of all the council Areas of the state
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