Lagos State House of Assembly today set up a 7-man committee to investigate allegations of financial misappropriations and scams leveled against Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) by a group operating under the aegis of The True Face of Lagos.
The new move has been perceived by a pro-Fashola group, Lovers of Raji Fashola (LORAF) as commencement of impeachment proceedings against Fashola, though Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. .Adeyemi Ikuforiji denied that the committee was set up to impeach the governor.
During deliberations, Ikuforiji said the resolution to probe the allegations "have been published in our Journal as procedurally required."
According to him, it is important for the Assembly to do what is constitutionally right for the benefit of taxpayers and to also absolve our government of any allegation.
Ikuforiji read the names of the members of the 7-man committee comprising Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye (from Kosofe); Hon. Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu); Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Somolu); Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet (Oshodi-Isolo); Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (Mushin); Hon. Babatunde Adejare (Agege); and Hon. Saka Dayo Fafunmi (Ifako Ijaiye).
The House gave the committee a two-week timeframe, which commences from the day it was constituted to complete its investigation. However, the venue where committee would be sitting was not revealed.
But Ikuforiji strongly advised the committee to invite all individuals and corporate bodies connected with the allegations so there can be thoroughness.
The speaker said the committee should investigate with the fear of God in mind and the love of Lagosians in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
The House had constantly denied an impeachment move, but the pro-Fashola groups claimed that the motive was not only meant to probe Fashola, but to impeach the governor.
The House had formally constituted set up a 5-man committee to investigate Fashola, but a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikorodu restrained it due to the fact that there was no formal petition and that the resolution to investigate the allegations was not published in the official proceedings of the Assembly.
But the petition was formally brought to the Assembly March 30 and consequently deliberated upon, the outcome of which culminated in a resolution to investigate all allegations of financial misappropriations and scams preferred against Fashola and some of his allies.
In line with an order of Justice Hakeem Abiru of the Lagos High Court, the Assembly published the resolution in its official proceedings for Thursday, April15, 2010 in line with procedural provision.
Speaking on the new move to probe Fashola, coordinator of Lovers of Raji Fashola (LORAF), a foremost pro-Fashola group, Mr. Abiodun Olugbenro said a fortnight can never be enough to thoroughly investigate the allegations.
According to Olugbenro, the House is not a neutral party and therefore should not investigate allegations that also implicated its members. It is a kangaroo probe; they are only interested in impeaching Fashola.
The pro-Fashola group therefore sought the intervention of a neutral body, like the economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC), to be invited to handle the probe.
The House however depended on Section 128, paragraph 1 and 2 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, which empowers the House to investigate allegations of corruption brought against the executive arm.
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