Lawmakers Suspend Surulere LG Chairman Over Gross Misconduct

 

The legislative arm of Surulere local government area of Lagos State has suspended the Chairman, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide for gross misconduct.

The embattled chairman was alleged to have siphoned N13,039,675.00, a fund meant for Infrastructure along Masha Road through Olupopson construction Ltd of which the contract was neither executed nor the money refunded.

The council legislature also accused Hon Ajide of embezzling fundsb meant for the purchase of Buses meant for the government Legislative Arm.
In a resolution at the end of Friday sitting, the lawmakers passed out a Vote of No Confidence on the Chairman, alluding it to showing”high level of incompetent he has shown so far”.

The lawmakers stated that the conduct of the suspended chairman has contravened several laws especially the Public Finance Management Law of Lagos State.

They added that the embattled Chairman on three occasions refused to honour its invitation to defend the allegations.

According to the council lawmakers “To this end sir, council wishes to affirm its resolution dated 9th April, 2021 passing a Vote of No Confidence and Suspension on the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government who has continued to show a high level of incompetence, callousness and total disregard for all democratic principles and yearnings of the good people of Surulere.

“Aiding and abetting through criminal conspiracy by awarding bogus and highly inflated contracts to his allies and cronies through which Local Government funds are siphoned.

” It may interests you to know that since 2017 till February, 2020, there was no Tenders Board existing in the Local Government. It is also worthy of note that 95% of the contracts of the Local Government was been executed by only two (2) contractors (Olupopson Construction Limited and Serial Touch Limited) while they later executed 90% of the Local Government.

“The Council in its oversight functions discovered that the Executive Chairman expended the sum of Sixty Million Naira Only (N60,000,000.00) which was not budgeted for in the Year 2020 approved budget with the pretence of variation on the construction of Primary Health Centre at Akerele which is an impeachable offence.

“Bogus and overinflated contracts on the purchase of official vehicles for the Legislative Arm which will have financial burden on the Councillors when boarding.

“Siphoning funds for the purchases of two (2) Buses for the Legislative Arm without purchase. A photograph of the Council revenue Bus was attached to the voucher been submitted to the Auditors in place of the Legislative Buses which is a fraud and an impeachable offence (See exhibit II).

“Deliberate attempt to ground the activities of the Legislative Council and conducts which negates all democratic practices.

“Council therefore resolved that the Executive Chairman be suspended from office to enable the Legislative Council conclude its investigation. Therefore, The Legislative Arm seeks the approval of the House of Assembly for the impeachment of the Local Government Chairman.” the parliamentarians said.

Lawmakers Suspend Surulere LG Chairman Over Gross Misconduct

The legislative arm of Surulere local government area of Lagos State has suspended the Chairman, Hon. Tajudeen Ajide for gross misconduct.

The embattled chairman was alleged to have siphoned N13,039,675.00, a fund meant for Infrastructure along Masha Road through Olupopson construction Ltd of which the contract was neither executed nor the money refunded.

The council legislature also accused Hon Ajide of embezzling fundsb meant for the purchase of Buses meant for the government Legislative Arm.
In a resolution at the end of Friday sitting, the lawmakers passed out a Vote of No Confidence on the Chairman, alluding it to showing”high level of incompetent he has shown so far”.

The lawmakers stated that the conduct of the suspended chairman has contravened several laws especially the Public Finance Management Law of Lagos State.

They added that the embattled Chairman on three occasions refused to honour its invitation to defend the allegations.

According to the council lawmakers “To this end sir, council wishes to affirm its resolution dated 9th April, 2021 passing a Vote of No Confidence and Suspension on the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government who has continued to show a high level of incompetence, callousness and total disregard for all democratic principles and yearnings of the good people of Surulere.

“Aiding and abetting through criminal conspiracy by awarding bogus and highly inflated contracts to his allies and cronies through which Local Government funds are siphoned.

” It may interests you to know that since 2017 till February, 2020, there was no Tenders Board existing in the Local Government. It is also worthy of note that 95% of the contracts of the Local Government was been executed by only two (2) contractors (Olupopson Construction Limited and Serial Touch Limited) while they later executed 90% of the Local Government.

“The Council in its oversight functions discovered that the Executive Chairman expended the sum of Sixty Million Naira Only (N60,000,000.00) which was not budgeted for in the Year 2020 approved budget with the pretence of variation on the construction of Primary Health Centre at Akerele which is an impeachable offence.

“Bogus and overinflated contracts on the purchase of official vehicles for the Legislative Arm which will have financial burden on the Councillors when boarding.

“Siphoning funds for the purchases of two (2) Buses for the Legislative Arm without purchase. A photograph of the Council revenue Bus was attached to the voucher been submitted to the Auditors in place of the Legislative Buses which is a fraud and an impeachable offence (See exhibit II).

“Deliberate attempt to ground the activities of the Legislative Council and conducts which negates all democratic practices.

“Council therefore resolved that the Executive Chairman be suspended from office to enable the Legislative Council conclude its investigation. Therefore, The Legislative Arm seeks the approval of the House of Assembly for the impeachment of the Local Government Chairman.” the parliamentarians said.