The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, was impeached on Tuesday by 18 out of 26 members of the legislative arm during the house sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi (APC-Yewa South).
Oluomo, representing Ifo State Constituency, was impeached over allegations of gross misconduct, highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, financial misappropriation, and pursuit of selfish interests.
The erstwhile speaker was reportedly at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta, attending the swearing-in of customary court judges a few metres away from the assembly complex, Governors Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when his colleagues moved against him.
The Assembly also elected Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda) as the new speaker.
There were also reports of shootings by some security officers loyal to Oluomo whom our correspondents gathered to try to stop the impeachment.
Adegoke Awoso (APC-Yewa North 1) moved the motion for the impeachment of Oluomo while it was seconded by Ademola Adeniran another APC lawmaker representing Sagamu Constituency II.
Adeyanju, popularly called Awoso had reportedly entered the assembly chamber with the mace in the company of other lawmakers
Recall that the impeached speaker is standing trial over the financial misappropriation of N2bn.
In September 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and stealing against Oluomo, and three other staff members of the legislative arm.
The charge was filed by the EFFC’s Lagos Head of Legal Monitoring Unit, Rotimi Oyedepo, at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.
The Speaker had, however, maintained his innocence, saying that he would eventually be vindicated of the fraud charges.
Speaking to newsmen after being elected as the new speaker, Elemide said the people of the state should expect the best from him. “We are law-abiding legislators. We want the world to know that there has been a change in leadership.
“18 members signed for me to be the speaker. People should remain calm. We are in the custody of all the authorities in the house. We are saying that the new leadership will support the governor. The governor does not know anything about this impeachment,” he said.
Also speaking to newsmen, Damilola Soneye (APC-Obafemi Owode), noted that the office of the speaker is meant to be first among equals.
“The speaker was impeached due to gross misconduct, which includes highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance and poor leadership style, financial misappropriation, and inciting members against themselves,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, also visited the assembly complex to ensure law and order.
This is just as Awoso alleged that policemen shot at the tyre of his car while claiming to be searching for guns said to be in his car.
He said, “The police shot at my tyre, they said they were searching for arms, which a member claimed were in my car, and by the time they searched everywhere, including the engine, they found nothing. I am embarrassed to have been treated with such disrespect and disdain as if one is a common criminal.”.
The Commissioner for police, however, said that he was at the Assembly to ensure law and order
Alamutu said, “We are here to ensure law and order, and we also picked up the information that arms were kept inside one of the cars at the Assembly Complex, but it has been searched and nothing of such was found.”.
The house has adjourned sitting for a week.
The clerk and the deputy clerk, Deji Adeyemo and Funmilayo Adeyemi were also at the plenary.
