Members of staff of the Ogun State House of Assembly has reiterated their confidence in the leadership of Rt. Honourable Olakunle Oluomo as the Speaker of the Assembly in spite of his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during the week on charges bothering on mismanagement of funds belonging to the legislative house.
Oluomo who was granted bail by the court returned to his office on Friday and was given a rousing welcome by fellow lawmakers and workers in the state assembly. According to the leaders and representatives of the staff, the embattled Speaker has provided good leadership for the assembly since taking over in 2019. They urged him to put his travails in detention behind him and continue to serve the good people of Ogun state.
Speaking on behalf of the Assembly staff, the Chairman of the State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Comrade Ayotunde Ojediran, said the workers were happy to receive back to office, the Speaker, the Assembly Clerk, Mr. Adedeji Adeyemo and the Accountant, Mr. Samuel Oladayo. He appreciated the members of staff for remaining resolute and keeping the House running while the trio were away.
Ojediran pledged the commitment and dedication of the entire workers of the House for the overall success of the ninth Assembly. Other Speakers also acknowledged the leadership abilities of the Speaker and prayed that he and other accused persons will in no time be vindicated by the Court. Responding, Oluomo maintained his innocence of the charges against him and will want the court to decide because the hyperbolic nature of the petitions written by the impeached former Deputy Speaker, Dare Kadiri was also reflected in the charges.
He thanked the workers for their support and confidence in his and promised not to be distracted by the development s. “By law, I am not the Accounting Officer of the House, for emphasis, the House under my leadership operates only one bank account since 2019, through which, running cost and allowances are paid directly into the bank accounts of individual Honourable members and staff of the House including the petitioner. Also, charges 10 and 11 are for the Eighth legislature before I became the Speaker,” he said.
I also like to say that the refusal to honour the initial invitation of EFCC was because of the method adopted by EFCC is against section 36 of the Constitu tion and we challenged it in court, this is in the public domain as it was widely reported but the EFCC refused to wait for the pronouncement in that case before taking further steps, despite having joined issues with us in court.
I have always been disciplined and upright in my position, conducts and dealings with people, I shall continue to remain myself with truth and honour as my goal. I thank everyone that showed love and concern in the last few days. Thanks and God bless you all”.