Assembly investigating allegations of a N1.9 billion fraud against the LCDA Chair

The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has said that the House will deliberate into allegations of misappropriation of funds levelled against the chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area, Mr John Ogundare.

A statement from the Assembly noted that some residents of Eti-Osa LCDA had debunked allegations of misappropriation of funds levelled against Ogundare during a protest to the Assembly on Monday.

Last week, the News Agency of Nigeria reported that some residents of the LCDA on Thursday staged a protest at the Assembly complex over the alleged misappropriation of N1.9bn by Ogundare. They sought the suspension of the council boss.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the residents and the All Progressives Congress Chairman in the Eti-Osa East LCDA, Adekunle Odunuga, during a Monday counter-protest, refuted claims made by the former protesters.

“We are here to counter their protest. We do not even know who these people are. They are definitely not residents of Eti-Osa East. Their allegations are baseless and unfounded,” Odunuga was quoted as saying.

Another resident of the LCDA, Apostle Olusoji Fabule, noted that Ogundare had been very hardworking since his assumption of office as Chairman.

“I grew up in Eti-Osa local government knowing that Eti-Osa is the least developed area within our four LCDAs, but since Ogundare came in, there have been lots of development,” he said.

While receiving the protesters on behalf of the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, Elliot noted that the lawmakers would listen to all parties involved in the issue.

Accompanied by his colleague, Rasheed Shabi, Elliot told the protesters, “Some (persons) came here last week and we addressed them. Today, you have come and we have listened to you. I assure you that your issue will be discussed during the plenary. It will be duly deliberated (upon).”