Chairman of Ogun LGA Detained After Alleging Governor Abiodun of Misappropriating Funds

The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested the recently impeached Chairman of Ijebu East Local government, Wale Adedayo, over a petition allegedly written against him by Governor Dapo Abiodun-led state government.

Adedayo disclosed his arrest by the police in a Facebook post on his timeline on Monday. 

He wrote, “Son of man is being taken to Ogun State Police CID at Eleweran, Abeokuta. They claim the State Government wrote a petition against me. If it is death, I follow the path of the Patriarchs. Ase di owo Olodumare (authority belongs to God)!”

How it all started

Adedayo had earlier accused Governor Abiodun of diverting statutory Federal allocations of all the 20 LGs in the state for the last two years.

The local government Chairman also asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to probe Abiodun based on the allegations.

Adebayo in a letter wrote, “Since we (Ogun State Local Government Chairmen) got on board in 2021, it has been ZERO Federal Allocation to each local government.”  He also alleged that the trend of denying LGAs their federal allocations in the state began during the leadership of Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun’s former governor.

Ijebu East Local Government Councillors suspend Adedayo

Newsmen also reported that the councillors of Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State announced the impeachment of the suspended Chairman, Wale Adedayo.

In a statement signed by the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon Fasheyi Akindele said that the impeachment followed allegations of financial misappropriation and diversion of council funds, among other allegations made against him.

They accused Adebayo of “withdrawal of N4 million from LG account for empowerment in 2022, which never took place. Wastage of N2 million on Isese Day on the 20th of August, 2022. Duty tour allowance of N260,000 for the chairman and other top functionaries in June 2023.”

The councillors also noted that “the N20 million allocation from the state is nowhere to be found. Another N15 million from the state went the same way without any project to show for it.”

Adedayo insists Governor Abiodun must account for LGA Funds

Adebayo said despite the move to sack him from office, he would stand on the grounds that the governor must account for LGA funds.

He said, “Yesterday, the Clerk of the House was summoned to Abeokuta along with our HOLGA. Of course, they wanted to impeach me since Tuesday. They claimed it had been done today after more than 00 armed policemen invaded the local government.”

The embattled local government chairman added, “So, after this one, does it make the allegations go away? Mr Governor still has to account for all the funds since 2019. And we are yet to open another box on the N52 billion.”

Reports say Adedayo was on the 14th of September, impeached by five out of 11 members of the LGA’s legislative chamber over allegations of financial misappropriation and diversion of funds.

DSS detains Adedayo 

A day after his suspension, Adedayo was invited and detained by the Department of Security Services (DSS). He was released after spending four days following the allegations he made against the governor.

Also, Governor Dapo Abiodun in a meeting with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Ijebu-east LGA on the 19th of September said he would ensure that Adedayo was held accountable for his words.

Abiodun maintained that he was prepared to defend himself against allegations of diversion of funds raised by the erstwhile LG Chairman.

Adedayo’s wife confirms his arrest 

Kafayat Adedayo told newsmen that her husband was arrested on Monday by police officers from the command headquarters at Eleweran in Abeokuta. 

She said, “They came on Monday afternoon in a Mitsubishi car to effect his arrest. About four of them were in uniform, while others were in mufti.”

Kafayat also added “The police operatives said they were acting on instructions based on a petition filed against him by the state government. He was taken to Abeokuta by the police.”

Abiodun Alamuti, Ogun state commissioner of police also confirmed Adedayo’s arrest.

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