A former Local Government Chairman in Ogun State who was removed from office for accusing Governor Dapo Abiodun of funds diversion, Hon. Wale Adedayo, has said that the Supreme Court decision granting financial autonomy to local government is a vindication of his position.Adedayo, in a chat with the NPO Reports on Thursday shortly after the ruling of Nigeria’s apex court barring governors from holding local government funds, said what the Supreme Court ruled on was exactly what was contained in a personal letter he wrote to a former Governor of the State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, over the fate of council chairmen under the administration of Governor Abiodun....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
Osoba is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress and one of the leaders of the party believed to have the ears of the President.
Adedayo told the NPO Reports, “The summary of my letter to former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, is what the Supreme Court just ruled on. But I was charged in court. In fact, my criminal trial initiated by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, continues tomorrow at Abeokuta Chief Magistrate Court, Isabo.”
Commenting on the decision of the court, Adedayo said Nigeria can never develop without an effective system of Local Government Administration adding “And one of the reasons for the success of any government is availability of funds.
“Once these funds go directly to each local government, you’ll be amazed at the number of quality people vying for positions at the local government level.”
Adedayo said for the president to have initiated the suit that led to this verdict is an indication that President Bola Tinubu understands the impact of local government administration when it is credible.
“For me, the current Federal Administration headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears ready to deepen the practice of democracy in Nigeria. Besides, it appears also that he is feeling the pain of our people at the grassroots and he wants them to have a feeling of good governance,” he said
Adedayo had last year accused the Ogun state governor of diverting funds meant for local government areas, making it impossible for the chairmen to deliver on the promises to the people.
After sending a copy of his petition to Osoba, Adedayo had gone a step further to report the governor to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
After his removal from the Ijebu East Local Government where he served as the chairman, Adedayo was later arrested and arraigned before a court in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
The police had explained that they arrested Adedayo because of a petition from the state government.
The “petition against Wale Adedayo’s deliberate circulation of falsehood, false report to government, threat to life and interference with the exercise of executive function,” was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi.
The two-count charge read “That you Hon. Wale Adedayo ‘m’ on the 27th August 2023 at Abeokuta in the Abeokuta Magisterial District did unlawfully publish circular to the public, a letter addressed to the former Governor of Ogun State and Elder Statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba ‘m’ in which you accused the present Governor of Ogun State: Prince Dapo Abiodun ‘m’ of hijacking Local Government funds which you knew was false allegation and likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace, knowing or having reason to believe that such statement is a rumour and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 59(1) of Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.
“That you Hon. Wale Adedayo ‘m’ on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully publish circular to the public, a letter addressed to the former Governor of Ogun State and Elder Statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba ‘m’ in which you accused the present Governor of Ogun State; Prince Dapo Abiodun ‘m’ of hijacking Local Government funds (ten percent (10%) of the State Internally Generated Revenue which the Constitution stipulate should go to the Local Government(s) since May, 2019 which you knew was a false allegation and likely to injure the reputation of the Governor by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule or to damage him in discharge of his office and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 375 of Criminal Code laws of Ogun State, 2006.”…READ FULL ARTICLE
