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Abdulqudus Ogundapo
Ogun State House of assembly has ordered some chairmen of local government areas of the state to appear before its Public Accounts and Anti-corruption committee over alleged financial misappropriation.
The assembly through the committee said it had observed some infractions in the audit reports on the local government councils in the state.
The committee ordered the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission to formally communicate its summons to all councils’ officials involved in the financial infractions.
The Committee Chairman, Musefiu Lamidi issued the directive while concluding the consideration of the 2014-2019 audit reports on the 20 Local Government Councils.
He said the concerned officials were to provide further clarifications on the record books of the affected councils before the State lawmakers.
The Chairman said “the committee has discovered the trend of illicit practices perpetrated by some officials including non attachment of supporting documents to payment vouchers and the use of unqualified officials as conduit pipes to siphon council funds.
“Others included nugatory payments, improper signing of payment vouchers and self procurements by some council chairmen amongst others which were against financial regulations, hence the need to prevent the re-occurence with a view to sustaining transparency in the running of the councils.”
The Assembly also reaffirmed its invitation to all Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs), Treasurers and Directors, General Services and Administrations as well as Internal Auditors in all the Local Government councils for an interactive session on Wednesday, 16th February, 2022.
According to the statement , the committee equally summoned one retired Mrs. F.O Odebiyi and a former Chairman of the defunct Sagamu South LCDA, Barr. Hassan Olugbenga to appear for further explanation on the financial infractions committed while in office as specified in the audit queries before the lawmakers on Thursday, February 3rd, 2022.
“In his remarks, the Auditor General for Local Government, Lamidi Mulero lauded the lawmakers for ensuring a thorough examination of the six years audit reports, stating that the exercise was conducted in good faith with transparency and high level of fairness.
“He admonished the auditees to desist from sharp practices as the office under his watch would step up measures towards curbing mismanagement of government resources.”
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