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Ogun Assembly Impeaches Speaker Over Alleged Embezzlement
The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, has been impeached by 18 out of 26 members of the State legislative arm.
The speaker’s impeachment was carried out yesterday 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 to 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 who allegedly tried 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 financial misappropriation of N2bn.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in September 2022 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 ex-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 of 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, Mr 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 high handedness, 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 was 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, Mr Deji Adeyemo and Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi were also at the plenary.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
