Paragraph 1: The Allegation and Initial Petition
John Ogundare, chairman of the Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, faced accusations of misappropriating N1.9 billion from the council’s 2023 budget. A group identifying themselves as Concerned Residents of Eti-Osa East LCDA lodged a petition with the Lagos State House of Assembly and the State Audit Service Commission in April 2024. The petition alleged a range of financial improprieties, including failure to adhere to the approved budget for departmental running costs, neglecting payments to former political office holders, unauthorized project execution and contract awards, and non-compliance with budgetary allocations for school and primary healthcare infrastructure. Crucially, the petitioners also accused Ogundare of failing to provide the legislature with requested income and expenditure records, further fueling suspicions of wrongdoing.
Paragraph 2: Counter-Protest and Claims of Exoneration
Following the petition and initial public outcry, a group of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, including chieftain Rotimi Sulaiman, organized a protest at the Assembly Complex in support of Ogundare. Sulaiman asserted that an investigation conducted by the State Assembly had cleared the chairman of all allegations. He emphasized that the Assembly committee found no incriminating evidence against Ogundare. Moreover, he stated that the State Audit Service Commission, prompted by the petition, had conducted a thorough audit of the council’s 2023 budget performance twice within three months. According to Sulaiman, both audits corroborated the Assembly’s findings and failed to substantiate the allegations of misappropriation.
Paragraph 3: Revenue Discrepancy and the Basis of the Allegations
Central to Sulaiman’s defense of Ogundare was the assertion that the LCDA’s total revenue for 2023, including federal and state allocations and internally generated revenue, amounted to only N1.4 billion. This figure, he argued, exposed the inherent flaw in the petitioners’ claim of N1.9 billion misappropriation, as it would be impossible to misappropriate funds the council never received. This discrepancy in the alleged misappropriated amount and the actual revenue available to the LCDA served as a key argument in dismissing the allegations as baseless and misleading. Sulaiman presented this information as definitive proof that the accusations were fabricated and intended to damage Ogundare’s reputation.
Paragraph 4: The Council’s Legislative Arm Weighs In
Further bolstering Ogundare’s defense, Sulaiman revealed that the Eti-Osa East LCDA’s legislative arm had passed a resolution supporting the chairman. He explained that the councillors, in a formal communication to Ogundare, clarified their position on the matter, stating that they had never accused him of misappropriating N1.9 billion. According to Sulaiman, the councillors’ original request was merely for clarification on the 2023 budget. Their concerns, they maintained, had been deliberately misrepresented to paint a picture of corruption within the council leadership.
Paragraph 5: Political Motivations and Misinterpretation of Facts
The situation surrounding the allegations against Ogundare appears to be complex, potentially involving political motivations and misinterpretations of information. The Concerned Residents’ petition, while alleging serious financial misconduct, did not present concrete evidence of misappropriation. The subsequent investigations by the State Assembly and the Audit Service Commission, along with the clarification from the LCDA’s legislative council, suggest a narrative significantly different from the one initially presented by the petitioners. It raises questions about the true intent behind the accusations and the possibility of a deliberate attempt to smear Ogundare’s reputation.
Paragraph 6: Conclusion and Outstanding Questions
While the investigations and subsequent statements appear to exonerate Ogundare, the incident underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance. The initial petition, regardless of its motivations, highlights the need for clear communication and readily available financial records to avoid misunderstandings and accusations of impropriety. While the allegations against Ogundare seem to have been refuted, the case serves as a reminder of the potential for misinformation and the importance of due process in addressing such matters. Furthermore, it raises questions about the role of citizen oversight and the mechanisms in place to ensure responsible use of public funds.
