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Tag: Lagos Assembly

  • BREAKING: Lagos Assembly suspends council chairman

    BREAKING: Lagos Assembly suspends council chairman

    Lagos Assembly has suspended the chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area Jelili Sulaimon indefinitely with immediate effect.

    Sitting at plenary, the lawmakers resolved the vice chairman of the council, Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, should take over the running of the council’s affairs.

    The Assembly further instructed the management of the council, including the manager and treasurer, to recognise the authority of the vice chairman and accord him all the support to make him work effectively.

    The chairman was suspended in a unanimous vote by the lawmakers over an alleged non-compliance, defiance and unyielding attitude to the legislative House.

    Moving a motion for his suspension, the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration  and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, recalled in April 2024, pandemonium broke out in the Iyana-Ipaja axis of Alimosho Local Government leading to the death of one Mr. Micheal Ajayi.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Lagos Assembly condemns killing of Eti-Osa monarch’s son

    Hon. Okanlawon, whose committee was saddled with the responsibility to investigate the cause of the pandemonium, said that it was discovered that Jelili masterminded the chaos.

    According to Okanlawon, all stakeholders involved in the issue were invited but Sulaimon had continued to show acts of misconduct to the committee of the House.

    He faulted the council chairman’s failure to adhere to the Assembly’s directives and his mismanagement of public funds. He called for Jelili’s immediate suspension in line with relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “He should be suspended immediately while the vice chairman, Akin Johnson, takes over with immediate effect,” he prayed.

    Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, while supporting the call for the suspension, added that the action would make other local government chairmen sit well.

    “The Alimosho council chairman does not follow procurement processes or the budget. There has been a lot of misconducts from him and I support that the chairman be suspended indefinitely,” he said.

    In his contribution Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, referred to the report submitted by the Auditor-General concerning the activities of Sulaimon. The report underscored the council chairman’s consistent non-compliance with financial regulations, with significant irregularities in his records.

    Akinsanya, emphasising these discrepancies, suported Okanlawon’s call for the suspension.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the sitting, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to communicate the Assembly’s resolution to all relevant authorities

  • JUST IN: Lagos Assembly condemns killing of Eti-Osa monarch’s son

    JUST IN: Lagos Assembly condemns killing of Eti-Osa monarch’s son

    • calls on Sanwo-Olu, IGP to ensure thorough investigation

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, September 17, described the murder of Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye, first son of the Ojomu of Ajiran land, Oba Tijani Akinloye, as callous and criminal.

    The House urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently commence investigation into the incident with the goal of ensuring justice for the bereaved family.

    The House, which observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased, also resolved to send a letter of condolence to the Ojomu royal family.

    A statement issued by the chief press secretary to the speaker, Eromosele Ebhomele, revealed that Ademola was shot and stabbed to death on August 26, 2024 along Chevron Drive, Lekki area of Lagos.

    Raising the issue under ‘Matters of Urgent Public Importance’, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, called the attention of his colleagues to the reported gruesome murder of Prince Akinloye.

    Adams urged the House to call for a thorough investigation into the incident.

    The Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ademola Richard Kasunmu, said the situation was enough for the security agencies in the state to work more efficiently.

    Supporting the motion, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) recalled a similar case involving the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami within the same area of the state some months ago.

    While praying for the repose of the souls of Prince Akinloye and Salami, he said the mystery behind the killings needed to be unravelled.

    Read Also: Troops neutralise four bandits, rescue 20 In Birnin Gwari, Giwa LGA of Kaduna

    Hon. Adewale Temitope (Ifako-Ijaiye I) reminded his colleagues that one of the responsibilities of the government is protection of lives and property, but added that the level of insecurity in Lagos is becoming alarming.

    “The security agencies, though putting in their best, are not as effective as we expect,” he said while advocating for the empowering of state Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

    He also suggested a letter of condolence to the bereaved family.

    On his part, Hon. Ladi Ajomale (Oshodi-Isolo II) said the House began investigating the case involving the late Salami but decided to allow the police to look into the issue.

    Sympathising with the Ojomu family, Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, who presided over the sitting on behalf of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, urged the Lagos command of the Nigeris Police to do more concerning the case.

    “I also want to suggest that pending the conclusion of investigation, the police should provide security at the palace to avoid intimidation of people there,” she said.

  • Lagos Assembly to probe alleged illegal demolition of buildings

    Lagos Assembly to probe alleged illegal demolition of buildings

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has promised to investigate the alleged illegal demolition of buildings and ancestral homes in the Odo-Ogun communities in the Kosofe Local Government Area.

    Indigenes and residents of the Odo-Ogun community penultimate week protested against the illegal demolition of their ancestral homes and buildings by aggrieved parties in suits pending in courts.

    Addressing the aggrieved indigenes and community leaders during a protest at the Assembly on Monday, two lawmakers, Hon. Ajani Owolabi and Solomon Bonu urged the protesters to sheathe their word and allow the Assembly to investigate the matter.

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    Owolabi said: ”We have listened to your requests urging us to stop those behind the demolitions from further continuing with the exercise, to return all your belongings taken away and to respect the sanctity of the court on the matter and to stop them from coming to your communities. We shall report back to the Speaker (Mudashiru Obasa) and the Assembly will call on the other parties to find out and investigate the matter for an amicable resolution.

    ”Since you believe that the Assembly can resolve the matter, hence, you’re coming here today, we shall take the matter back to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and we urge you as peace-loving people to return to your communities and maintain peace while we shall invite the parties for proper investigation, Please avoid taking laws into your hand. We shall intervene and resolve the matter before too long,” Bonu said.

    Earlier, the spokesperson for the residents, Dr. Hammed Eshinlokun urged the Assembly to urgently intervene in the matter citing instances whereby the brains behind the demolitions have been carrying out unlawful activities without recourse to law and the sanctity of the judiciary.

  • Lagos Assembly okays reordering of 2024 budget

    Lagos Assembly okays reordering of 2024 budget

    • Increases capital expenditure

    Lagos State House of Assembly has amended the Appropriation Law of 2024 that has a size of N2,267,976,120,869.

    The reordering is sequel to a letter dated August 9, 2024, sent to the House by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    The House at plenary yesterday gave the approval after the Chairman of the Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, Lukman Olumoh, presented report and recommendations of the committee, which were adopted as the resolution of the House.

    Although the total budget size remains the same, the recurrent expenditure was reduced from N952,430,566,998 in the original budget to N935,377,028,422, while the capital expenditure was increased from N1,315,545,553,871 to N1,332,599,092,448, following the reordering.

    Read Also: Lagos signs MoU with Chinese firm on rice value chain, agriculture

    “That a bill for a law to authorise the issuance and appropriation of N935,377,028,422 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for Recurrent Expenditure and N1,332,599,092,448 from the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure, thereby totalling a revised budget size of N2,267,976,120,869 for the year ending 31st December, 2024 be passed into law,” Speaker Mudashiru Obasa told his colleagues, who unanimously voted in favour.

    The Speaker, thereafter, directed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, to forward a clean copy of the bill to the Governor for his assent.

    Prior to the passage of the reordered budget, Olumoh reminded the House that in the letter sent by the Governor, the latter explained that the rationale for the request to redistribute the budget included the need to boost the appropriation to some Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals.

    The letter requesting the reordering had also emphasised the need to meet the state government’s commitments to the residents through the budget.

  • JUST IN: Lagos Assembly approves reordering of 2024 budget

    JUST IN: Lagos Assembly approves reordering of 2024 budget

    …increases capital expenditure

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has amended the Appropriation Law of 2024 which has a size of N2,267,976,120,869.

    According to a statement issued by Eromosele Ebhomele, the chief press secretary to the speaker. Mudashiru Obasa, the reordering followed a letter dated August 9, 2024, sent to the House by the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    The House at plenary on Thursday, September 5, gave the approval after the Chairman of the Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, Hon. Lukman Olumoh, presented the report and recommendations of the Committee which were adopted as the resolution of the House.

    Though the total budget size remains the same, the recurrent expenditure was reduced from N952,430,566,998 in the original budget to N935,377,028,422 while the capital expenditure was increased from N1,315,545,553,871 to N1,332,599,092,448 following the reordering.

    Read Also: How Ogun varsity student Christianah Idowu was gruesomely murdered

    “That a bill for a law to authorise the issuance and appropriation of N935,377,028,422 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for Recurrent Expenditure and N1,332,599,092,448 from the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure thereby totalling a revised budget size of N2,267,976,120,869 for the year ending 31st December, 2024 be passed into law,” the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, announced to his colleagues who unanimously voted in favour.

    The Speaker, thereafter, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward a clean copy of the bill to the Governor for his assent.

    Prior to the passage of the reordered budget, Hon. Olumoh reminded the House that in the letter sent by the Governor, the latter explained that the rationale for the request to redistribute the budget included the need to boost the appropriation to some Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals.

    The letter requesting the reordering also emphasised the need to meet the State Government’s commitments to the residents through the budget.

  • Lagos Assembly pledges collaboration with Nigerian army on security

    Lagos Assembly pledges collaboration with Nigerian army on security

    The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has pledged the support of the House for the Nigerian Army to sustain the peace experienced in the State.

    Obasa gave the assurance on Thursday, September 5, when he received Brigadier General Olawale Matthew Oyekola, 48th Commander of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who visited the House of Assembly with his team.

    In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, Obasa said that the State’s legislature with 40 lawmakers is committed to ensuring peace and stability in all the local government areas of Lagos and welcomes every support from the right quarters in this regard.

    He said: “I want to assure you of our total support. Our arms are wide open. When you need us, all you have to do is just call on us. We are at the House of Assembly to protect the people’s interests, and their rights and ensure they do what they are supposed to do.

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    “We love peace in Lagos, which you can call a mini-Nigeria. And with your coming, we hope to sustain the peace we have in the State.

    “Our interest is to prosper Lagos economically, socio-politically and in infrastructure,” the Speaker said while commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his policies that have kept the State growing.

    Obasa used the opportunity to hail men of the military who, he described as gallant, for their dedication and loyalty to Nigeria.

    He especially commended the military men tackling insecurities in some parts of the country, particularly in the Northeast.

    Speaking earlier, Brigadier General Oyekola said he was in the House to associate with the representatives of the people of Lagos who he and his men are mandated to protect.

    Noting that he was returning to Lagos 20 years after he left the State, he said Lagos is peaceful and that this status needed to be sustained.

    He solicited the support of Lagosians for the Army, which he called the third layer of protection with the Nigeria Police Force as the first layer.

    “Wearing this uniform does not make us different from the people. We are first civilians before becoming men in uniforms,” he said.

    General Oyekola resumed at the Brigade’s Headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos on August 21, 2024, after previously serving as Chief of Staff at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI.

  • Lagos Assembly intervenes in Epe land dispute, promises justice

    Lagos Assembly intervenes in Epe land dispute, promises justice

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has reassured the people of Abomiti, Yegunda, and Eyin-Osa communities in the Epe area of the State that justice will be served regarding the alleged land hijack.

     The House is set to address the issue in a session next Wednesday.

     Representatives of the communities had petitioned the Lagos Assembly through the Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, accusing the Central Working Committee of unauthorized land sales.

     At a recent meeting, Hon. Abiodun Tobun, Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Cooperative, urged the residents to seek amicable resolution of the land disputes within their families before the next Assembly meeting.

    “We will meet with the government officials to address these issues amicably before the next meeting,” Tobun stated.

     Counsel to the communities, Olofinlade Oludayo, praised the Assembly’s efforts but noted that there were still significant issues to be addressed. He urged the Assembly to order all parties to maintain the status quo to prevent further complications.

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     “There is no reason why any investors should be working, especially when we are challenging the sales to such investors. It is not right. If their title is defective, they could end up fencing everything, creating more problems for us,” Oludayo explained.

      “There are irregular sales facilitated by the surveyor, leaving nothing for the communities. The MoU does not permit the Central Working Committee to initiate sales, which is a significant irregularity. The Assembly should investigate this,” Oludayo urged.

     One of the community leaders, Hon. Sanu Adekunle expressed dissatisfaction after the meeting, criticizing the decision to allow investors to continue working on the land. He insisted that all activities should be halted until the land issues are resolved.

     “We have been coming here about three or four times. We are not satisfied because the House needs to stop investors from working on the site. Once the issue is resolved, they can return.

  • Group walks against femicide, submits draft bill to Lagos Assembly

    Group walks against femicide, submits draft bill to Lagos Assembly

    • By Ganiyat Mumuni and Lola Ajayi

    A Civil society group, DOHS Cares Foundation, yesterday staged a walk against femicide in Lagos State.

    The group marched from Allen Roundabout in Ikeja to the House of Assembly where it presented a draft bill to criminalise femicide to the House.

    The walk was to raise awareness about the negative consequences of femicide.

    Femicide is the killing of women or girls, particularly by men, on account of their gender. It is the most brutal and extreme manifestation of violence against women and girls, according to UN Women.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Lagos Assembly to hold public hearing on land grabbing

    Founder of DOHS Mrs. Ololade Ajayi described femicide as ‘the intentional killing of women and girls by men, which is characterised by a history of domestic violence and social abuse. Femicide, she said, may occur as a result of stereotypes of gender roles and unequal power relations, with harmful impacts including psychological and emotional damage to families and society as a whole’.

    She added: “Femicide is the highest form of gender-based violence, the most violent form because it results in the murder of women and girls. It is a distinct form of Gender Based Violence (GBV), motivated by hatred, contempt, pleasure or a sense of ownership of women and a misogynistic killing of women by men.

  • BREAKING: Lagos Assembly to hold public hearing on land grabbing

    BREAKING: Lagos Assembly to hold public hearing on land grabbing

    • …writes Olubadan-in-council over monarch’s demise

    The menace of land grabbing was a major topic for debate on the floor of the Lagos state House of Assembly on Tuesday, March 19, as lawmakers agreed that a public hearing be organised as part of urgent solutions. 

    The planned stakeholders’ meeting would be all-encompassing involving the state government, the police, the judiciary, traditional rulers and others.

    Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said land grabbing has become “a serious issue that is beyond disturbing. It is chaotic. Many people have been killed, some maimed and some locked up without trial just because of the existence of some people who have turned themselves to land grabbers.”

    In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele, Obasa frowned at cases where land speculators write petitions and with the connivance of security officials, the real owners of the properties are arrested, taken to Abuja and forced to sign undertakings that would bar them from the same land they bought from their toiling.

    The speaker, who said these land grabbers often attack new and developing areas in Ikorodu, Epe, Ojo and others, added: “I wonder how somebody would just invade people’s properties and still exude such boldness and confidence, kill the owner or bring police.”

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly suspends councillor

    Obasa, recalling his own experience sometime ago, further added: “what do you think of the fate of a resident who struggles to own a property, struggle to start building on it only for somebody to just suddenly take over the land making life difficult for him?”

    He also raised concerns over delays and multiple judgements from courts while urging the state government to consider commensurate compensations for land owners whose properties are taken over in overriding public interest.

    “Land is a source of wealth for its owners and when government acquires it, there must be a process in place for adequate compensation. If not, how do you expect such people to get out of poverty?” he asked.

    Moving the motion under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ earlier, Hon. Kazeem Olayinka (Mushin Constituency 2), implored the House to organise a meeting with the stakeholders to address the problem.

    In his contribution, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) stressed the importance of focusing on the enforcement of the law against land grabbing. 

    He urged the establishment of a dedicated agency to effectively handle cases.

    Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate harped on the need for stronger enforcement of the extant laws relating to land grabbing.

    Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has commiserated with the Olubadan-in-council over the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan. The House also condoled the Nigerian Army over the killing of its personnel in Delta.

    The lawmakers held a minute silence in honour of the departed while the Speaker directed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to send a condolence letter each to the Olubadan-in-council and the Nigerian Army.

  • Lagos Assembly suspends Onigbongbo councillor

    Lagos Assembly suspends Onigbongbo councillor

    The Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development to suspend Azeez Dawodu, a councilor in the Onigbongbo local council development area.

    The resolution was part of recommendations at Thursday, February 22, plenary presided over by the deputy speaker, Meranda Mojisola.

    The committee chairman, Ganiu Okanlawon, who read the recommendations, advised that councilors should have a harmonious working relationship with the chairman and council leaders.

    The committee also recommended that the council leader should ensure peace and unity among the councilors.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly urges government support for school girl suffering teargas injury

    It also recommended scrapping of the Office of the Deputy Majority Leader which was created by the council leader.

    According to the committee, there was no provision for such in the law guiding local governments in the state.

    Furthermore, the committee recommended that priority should be given to the construction of a modern and befitting legislative chamber for the legislators in the council’s Y2024 budget, and the clerk should always take directives from the leader of the council.