Wale Adedayo, the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State, has stated his intention to legally contest his suspension.
The suspension was announced on Thursday morning by seven councillors, led by their leader Fasheyi Adesuji from Itele Ward 7, citing “maladministration and financial mismanagement” as reasons for the three-month suspension.
The lawmakers listed about 15 financial infractions against the LG boss including using N8.2 million to procure 20 tables and chairs for the primary schools as well as misappropriation of N35 million among others.
The councillors’ move came after Adedayo accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of diverting federally allocated funds for local councils in the state.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Adedayo described his suspension as a “hoax and one that was forced down the throat of the lawmakers having been allegedly baited with N1m”.
He said, “The suspension or impeachment of a local government chairman ought to follow due process. The first stage is a letter to me about the so-called infractions.
“Of course, they stormed the Council secretariat with more than 100 armed policemen this morning along with thugs and agberos. They think we were going to react violently as they had prepared. We are in a democracy. We’ll challenge them democratically.
“All the allegations are baseless and without foundation. They forcefully marched the Clerk of the House to Abeokuta yesterday along with the local government’s HOLGA. So, we knew what the Governor was up to before the charade of this morning.
“Two of the councillors were led to the council at gunpoint. And immediately they finished all of them were taken in a vehicle to Abeokuta. Of course, I was told that N1m was given to each person who signed. We are not bothered. Once the EFCC comes, the books of the local government can also be opened for them to see.”
