Lagos Assembly suspends Alimosho council chairman indefinitely

The Lagos State House of Assembly has suspended indefinitely the chairman of the Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon over alleged misconduct, among others.

At the plenary, on Monday, the chairman was suspended in a unanimous vote by the lawmakers over an alleged non-compliance, defiance and adamant attitude to the legislative House.

The lawmakers resolved that the vice chairman of the council, Akinpelu Johnson, should take over the running of the local government’s affairs.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, moved a motion for the suspension of Jelili, recalling that in April 2024, chaos erupted in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Alimosho Local Government, resulting in the death of one Mr. Micheal Ajayi.

Okanlawon, whose committee was tasked with investigating the cause of the disturbance, revealed that it was discovered that Jelili had orchestrated the unrest.

He noted that all relevant stakeholders were invited to provide their input, but Jelili continued to display misconduct towards the committee.

Okanlawon pointed out the council chairman’s failure to comply with the Assembly’s directives and his mismanagement of public funds.

Consequently, he called for Jelili’s immediate suspension in accordance with the relevant sections of the amended 1999 Constitution.

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

The Majority Leader of the House, Noheem Adams, supported the motion for Jelili’s suspension, emphasizing that such action would encourage other local government chairmen to uphold standards.

“The Alimosho council chairman does not adhere to procurement processes or the budget. There have been numerous instances of misconduct on his part, and I support that the chairman be suspended indefinitely,” he said.

In addition, Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, referenced a report from the State Auditor-General regarding Jelili’s activities.

The report highlighted the council chairman’s ongoing non-compliance with financial regulations, revealing significant irregularities in his financial records.

Akinsanya, emphasising these disparities, supported Okanlawon’s call for Jelili’s suspension.

The 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.