Oluomo and the duo were dragged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged misappropriation of public funds running into N2.5 billion.

Oluomo allegedly committed this financial fraud while he was the Speaker of the Assembly in 2022.

The former Speaker was last week removed by 18 out of 26 lawmakers over allegations bordering on financial misappropriation, highhandedness, gross misconduct, arrogance, poor leadership style, lack of focus and transparency, and pitching members against themselves.

Oluomo has, however, described his removal as illegal, saying that he had already instituted a suit at the state high court to challenge his impeachment.

On Monday, shortly after the trio entered the dock, the court discovered that the counsel for the anti-graft agency could not make it to court.

The presiding judge, Justice Agatha Okeke, however, adjourned the case to February 29 and March 1.

In September 2022, the EFCC arrested and later arraigned Oluomo for allegedly diverting N2.5 billion belonging to the Assembly in suit no. FHC/AB/61C/2022.

Oluomo was arraigned alongside the Clerk of the House, Taiwo Adeyemo, and the Director of Finance, Oladayo Samuel.

The antigraft agency had accused the Speaker and others of forging receipts and signatures to divert billions of naira from the legislative house.

They were thereafter granted bail after pleading not guilty, even as they were asked to submit their travel documents at the court registry.

The post EFCC arraigns impeached Ogun speaker Oluomo, two others over alleged N2.5bn fraud appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Mafe, who represents Sagamu 1 State Constituency in the assembly, stated in his withdrawal letter read at plenary by Suraj Adekunbi, the Speaker of the house, that he had returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I had earlier written a letter to leave APC. I write to officially withdraw the letter and I wish to notify you that I remain a member of APC Next Level,” he stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mafe and three other members on Nov. 29, 2018, resigned their membership of APC and defected to the APM.

The lawmakers announced their defection in separate letters read by the Speaker during plenary. The three other defectors were the Chief Whip, Idowu Olowofuja who represents Abeokuta South II, Ganiyu Oyedeji (Ifo II) and Tunde Sanusi (Obafemi Owode).

Since Mafe’s defection to APM, a new majority leader had not been elected.

Also during plenary, the Deputy Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, explained that it was important for the assembly to assess Ministries, Departments and Agencies, saying that the present administration was winding up.

“It is obvious that the state government is winding up. There is need for the House to carry out an assessment of MDAs so that we can know where we are in the state before the government winds up,” Oluomo, who represents Ifo 1, said.

The post Ogun assembly majority leader quits APM, returns to APC appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Oseni-Gomez who made this known at a news conference in Abeokuta on Thursday, said she took the decision to enable her contest for the Ogun Central Senatorial District in the 2019 general elections on the platform ADC.

Oseni-Gomez ventured into partisan politics in 1999 and was elected as the first female Speaker of Ogun Assembly,June 2013.

The former speaker was received by the ADC chieftain, Joju Fadairo, a former chairman of PDP in the state and also ADC governorship aspirant, Nasir Isiaka.

“After series of consultations across political circles and associates, discussions with leaders and people of my senatorial districts, I decided to join forces with reformists by pitching my tent with ADC. The party is committed to unity, good governance and equal opportunity,” she said.

She noted that the quest for responsible and responsive government had always been an important part of her life.

“It has always been my wish to assuage the challenges of my people and contribute my little quota toward societal development.

“I am primarily in politics to provide quality leadership and worthy representation by partaking in formulation of policies that will be beneficial to my constituents, state and the nation in general.”

She urged members of the party to mobilise their people to register for the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), to enable them vote in the 2019 elections.

The post 2019: Former Ogun Speaker dumps PDP for ADC appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The walk was to honour the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

The exercise which was led by the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, wife, Olufunso Amosun, President Women Arise, Joe Okey -Odumakin and Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin started at 7.00am at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta passed through major streets of Abeokuta and terminated at about 9. 40am at the Oke Ido family house of the late Abiola.

Also participated in the walk are Amosun’s Deputy, Yetunde Onanuga, State Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, former Governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Commissioners, top government functionaries, Human Rights groups, Transport Unions, market women and student unions.

At the family house of Abiola, brief ceremony and prayers was held.
While speaking at the event, Governor Amosun said Abiola paid the supreme price for the Nigeria’s democracy which everybody was enjoying now, saying June 12 event transcend Ogun State, South West, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

He disclosed that MKO was the President Nigerians elected but never allowed to govern and must be recognised. “He (Abiola) laboured so much for us, he paid the supreme price for Nigeria’s democracy. The struggle he died for transcends Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West and Africa too and we are happy about that. Nigerians trust him and that is why they voted for him and he must be recognised as an elected President. It is a history we must continue to recognised. He was the President elected but denied the opportunity to govern.

“He lives on. We (office holders) must toll the path Abiola tolled. M.K.O will continue to live on and generations will come to know what June 12 is all about. June 12 will continue”.

On calls for restructuring, Amosun said “I am for it (restructuring) but we must do it in a way that Nigeria will be indivisible”.

He promised that the State would continue to honour the day, saying the government would take the celebration beyond walk in their nearest future.

Also speaking, Joe-Odumakin urged the Federal government to declare a posthumous declaration of MKO as Nigerian President, stating that Abiola paid the ultimate price for Nigeria’s democracy, saying it is a watershed and the June 12 Presidential election votes cut across tribal and religious lines.

The human right activist declared that until Nigeria is restructured, it would not move forward. “June 12 is our own watershed. June 12 votes cut across tribal and religious lines, it helps in promoting national integrity. June 12 was about three choices. It was non violent, it was a raining day and people went out in a non violent approach. MKO defeated Bashir Tofa in his own place so Nigerians set aside colonial interest and overwhelmingly voted for a Muslim, Muslim ticket.

“Twenty-four years after June 12, we want to insist that there should be a post humous declaration of MKO Abiola as the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. June 12 will be declared our democracy day.

“I also want to say this in the spirit of June 12, we cannot move forward until we restructure Nigeria. As we are gathered here today, I want us to know that MKO died for us, so it is our collective responsibilities to keep the spirit of MKO Abiola alive. MKO Abiola paid the ultimate price so he lives forever.”

The Publicity Secretary of Campaign for Democracy, Sunday Ogunyinka
said the spirit of June 12 still lives on, saying “you can kill a soul but you can’t kill the June 12 Legacy”.

The Spokesperson of the Afenifere Renewal Group, Yinka Odumakin said “The memory we are celebrating today shows that MKO is alive, the spirit is alive, June 12 is alive, the issues raised by June 12 are still very much with us and if we realise this with a restructured Nigeria, it will make Nigeria better for all nationalities and all in the country.”

Former Governor of Kwara State, Chief Cornelius Adebayo who said he worked with the late Abiola said the memory cannot be erased.

All those who spoke commended the State government for organising the event.

Responding on behalf of the family, Alhaji Tajudeen Abiola praised the state government for supporting the family.

He revealed that when their senior brother, Bashiru was sick the Governor flown him abroad for treatment, saying “The government has been supporting us, the Governor always help us and all his team too. Whenever they hear you are from Abiola’s family, they always help. We really thank the Governor for his support always.”

The post Amosun, Joe-Odumakin walk in honour of Abiola appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Adeyemi Harrison, representing Ogun Waterside in the state assembly, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta.

Harrison said that the local governments could not execute any meaningful project to develop their locality due to lack of funds.

The lawmaker said that specific amounts earmarked for the local governments from federal allocation should be allowed to get to the councils without any hindrance.

“The specific amount that is earmark for local governments from the Federal Account Allocation Committee is to maintain and develop local governments.

“If the state is not ready to cater for local governments, the governor should allow the allocation of the local governments to go straight to them.

“So that it can use it to develop the local government areas.

“Local government allocations are being deducted all the time; the state government should tell us the actual money that is coming to local governments.

“And there is no law that says the state should share from the allocation for local governments,” the Ogun lawmaker said.

Harrison, a second term legislator, urged Gov. Amosun, to fulfil his promises to the people of Ogun Waterside, saying that all the roads he promised to construct were yet to be attended to.

“No area has been attended to in my local government, all the roads are bad, the governor has never attended to any road in that place since he came into office.

“What is paramount to me is how the people of my local government will enjoy dividends of democracy; how what is rightly due to us will be given to us.

“What I want is that, the road he promised for my local government should be done,’’ said the Ogun lawmaker.

Follow Us

”

The post Ogun lawmaker urges Amosun to release federal allocations to LGs appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Adeyinka Mafe, the Majority Leader, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill during plenary in Abeokuta and was seconded by the Minority Leader, Olawale Alausa.

The bill was originally entitled “A bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of Moshood Abiola University of Technology and for Matters of Administration and Discipline of Students Connected Therewith.’’

The bill is now entitled: “A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology and for Matters of Administration and Discipline of Students Connected Therewith.’’

Victor Fasanya, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, moved the motion for the adoption of the committee’s report and seconded by Adejuwon Olufowobi

Presenting the report of the committee, Fasanya said that a stakeholders forum was held on the bill and the inputs of the stakeholders were put into consideration.

He described the bill as historic, adding that it would encourage the people of the state to venture into science and technology.

”We need to encourage our people to go into science and technology so that we have entrepreneurs like they do in other advanced country.

“The university will have two deputy Vice Chancellors , academic and administration, while the Registrar should be the Secretary of the Governing Council.

“The compulsory age of academic staff of the university shall be 65 years except for persons on professorial cadre which shall be 70 years,” he said.

Also during plenary, the assembly passed the bill for a law to provide for the establishment, incorporation, constitution and function of the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.

Mafe moved the motion for the third reading while it was seconded by Adebowale Ojuri.

Presenting the report of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology to the House, Fasanya explained that the polytechnic would run a multi campus system with the main campus in Ipokia town.

Suraj Adekunbi, the Speaker, ordered that the clean copy of the bills be forwarded to Gov. Ibikunle Amosun for his assent.

Mafe thereafter moved the motion for the adoption of the day’s plenary and this was seconded by Alausa.

Follow Us

“

The post Ogun assembly passes bill upgrading MAPOLY to university appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Adekunbi who disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen in Abeokuta on Friday, said that the project had been provided for in the 2013 budget passed by the Seventh legislature, but the project was not implemented at the period because the required fund could not be accessed.

The speaker said the road was being funded by foreign development partners with the necessary fund dedicated to the project, adding that such fund could not be diverted to finance other projects.

He assured that government would complete all other ongoing projects across the state , adding that it was illegal for any government to divert any project catered for in the budget.

“I assure the people that the present administration led by Gov Ibikunle Amosun would ensure the completion of all ongoing projects across the state”, he said.

Adekunbi also explained that the roads being constructed by the present administration had assisted greatly in ensuring smooth vehicular and human movements.

He advised the people to desist from violating road traffic rules, with a call on the Traffic Road Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), to embark on more sensitisation programmes for all categories of road users.

He urged road users to always comply with traffic rules and regulations, and that there was need to do mental test for anyone that drove against traffic.

The lawmaker advocated more civil approach on the part of the toll collectors on the roads, stating that the growing number of motorists in the state required the collaboration of all tiers of government and the people to promote safe motoring.

Follow Us

The post Lack of fund delays 10-lane road project in Ogun – Speaker appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Investigations revealed that a motion was moved to decamp to APC by some of the ex-president’s loyalists at a meeting of the PDP caucus in Ogun State, held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Friday night.

The motion to join APC, sources told NewMailNG, was moved by the Ogun East senatorial chairman, Tayo Ajayi, and seconded by another elder from Ogun West, Shina Adejobi but a counter motion was moved by a former lawmaker who represented Ifo I constituency at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Johnson Fatoki, before the motion was put to vote.

At the end of the voting, 14 PDP  chairmen out of  the 20 across Ogun and two serving members of  the state House of Assembly,  Job Akintan and Abiodun Akovoyon, allegedly countered the motion to join the APC.

Sources at the meeting told our correspondent that after the move to join APC hit a brickwall, the two groups were advised to continue negotiating with the parties of their choice and report back to the house.

At the meeting, Sunday Alawode who was elected interim Chairman of the caucus, said the Obasanjo  group was not in support of the move to negotiate with the APC, adding that members of the group were  solidly behind the reconciliatory moves by the new Chairman of the PDP, Adamu  Mu’azu.

“Yes, a meeting was held and someone moved a motion to join the APC and the motion was countered. 14 local government Chairmen and all political functionaries were not in support of the move and since Obasanjo has made it clear he is staying in PDP, we stand by him on that decision,” he said.

“We congratulate the new National Chairman of our party and believe in his ability to reconcile the party in the South-west and Ogun State in particular. We also support President Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition and we are ready to work for its success.”

The post Cracks in Obasanjo’s camp over Jonathan’s 2015 ambition appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

The bill was passed after the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Olusola Bankole, read the committee’s report.

Bankole said the budget was increased by N81 million to enhance the revenue generation drive of some of the ministries that had the capacity to generate more than what was proposed in the budget.

He said the committee recommended that state commissioners for Finance and Budget should ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) adhered strictly to the execution of their projects.

The report of the committee was adopted by the House and the bill was read the third time.

The Majority Leader, Isreal Jolaoso, moved the motion for its third reading and was seconded by Mrs Elizabeth Anifowoshe.

The Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, after the passage of the bill, ordered that a clean copy be sent to Gov. Ibikunle Amosun for assent.

Governor Amosun had on November 19, presented the expenditure estimates of N210.2 billion to the House

The post Ogun lawmakers pass Amosun’s N210.2bn budget appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.