Lagos State Assembly Threatens To Arrest Ambode, Others

The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and four others who served under him as commissioners.

This decision followed two preliminary reports presented by two different ad-hoc committees set up by the House to investigate the 820 buses purchased by Ambode and to appraise the 2019 mid-year budget.

Chairman of the nine-man ad-hoc committee set up to probe the 820 buses purchased by the former governor, Fatai Mojeed, while presenting the preliminary report, said it was discovered that due process was not followed in the purchase of the buses.

Mojeed added that the former governor used the refund of the Paris Club for the purchase of the buses without the approval of the House.

The lawmaker added that they demanded the budget instrument used for the purchase, but that there was no budgetary provision for it.

On his part, Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on Mid-Year Budget Review, Gbolahan Yishawu, alleged that the commissioners involved were invited by the committee, but refused to appear without giving any excuse for their absence.

However, some members of the House while reacting to the matter, suggested that since the former governor and those officials who worked with him had been invited by the two committees and refused to show up, a warrant of arrest should be issued on them.

Obasa, therefore, said: “The Clerk should write them, including the former governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and if they refuse, we will do newspaper publications and after that, we will issue a warrant of arrest.”

In another development, the Assembly has dismissed a petition alleging receipt of $200,000 bribe by one of its members, Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun, representing Lagos Mainland Constituency II in the Assembly.

Continue Reading…