The Lagos State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Sulaimon Jelili, citing non-compliance and an uncooperative attitude toward the legislature.
The decision was reached through a unanimous vote during plenary on Monday, October 7. In light of Jelili’s suspension, the House directed Vice Chairman Akinpelu Johnson to assume control of the council’s affairs. The council’s management team, including the manager and treasurer, was instructed to fully support Johnson in his new role.
The suspension follows an investigation by the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, chaired by Sanni Okanlawon. The investigation focused on the pandemonium that broke out in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Alimosho in April 2024, which resulted in the death of one Michael Ajayi. Okanlawon noted that despite multiple invitations to address the matter, Jelili demonstrated continuous misconduct and failed to comply with the legislature’s directives, including alleged mismanagement of public funds.
Okanlawon, invoking relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), moved for Jelili’s immediate suspension. The motion was supported by Majority Leader Noheem Adams, who highlighted Jelili’s failure to follow procurement processes and warned that the suspension would serve as a deterrent to other local government chairmen.
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Further bolstering the call for suspension, Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, referred to a report by the State Auditor-General, which highlighted significant financial irregularities under Jelili’s leadership. Akinsanya reiterated the need for immediate action in light of the report’s findings.
Other lawmakers, including Ladi Ajomale and Sa’ad Olumoh, expressed disappointment in Jelili’s continued disregard for governance protocols. Olumoh further suggested that Kolade Alabi and Rasak Ajala, chairmen of Bariga LCDA and Odi Olowo LCDA, respectively, be invited to explain the widespread non-compliance among council chairmen.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the session, instructed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to communicate the resolution to all relevant authorities.
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