Group Wants EFCC To Prosecute Lagos Speaker Over Corruption Allegations

Concerned Nigerians, a pro-democracy group has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to investigate and prosecute the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa over allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

In the petition written to the EFCC, the group convener, Comrade Deji Adeyanju noted that in the past weeks, an Online investigative newspaper, Sahara Reporters had in a series of publications, reported that Hon. Mudashiru Obasa illegally collected N45,750,00 for a Christmas party for children of lawmakers that was never held.

Adeyanyu also noted that the Speaker allegedly approved the sum of N258.8m for the printing of invitation cards for the inauguration of lawmakers two months after the event had been held.

He said the fund was processed on the orders of Obasa for the inauguration of the Ninth Assembly, with 34 returning members and six new members, which was held on June 7, 2019.

The document which was used for the approval and release of the funds, was fraudulently processed two months after the event had taken place. The document was titled “Celebrations and Ceremonies” and was dated August 7, 2019.

“It was also revealed how the Speaker approved N17m monthly to maintain his personal residence and guest house, and N53m from the state coffers to travel with his mistress to the United States of America,” the document read.

“19 lawmakers led by Obasa and Sanni went for a women leadership programme and received N80 million as estacode after returning from the programme. The document dated December 30, 2019, stated that the payment was released on the orders of the Lagos Assembly Speaker.

“Payment approved as Estacode to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Deputy Speaker, 14 officers and 17 members to attend the women leadership seminar scheduled to hold at the Movenpick Hotel and Suite, Dubai, as per Rt. Hon. Speaker’s vide LSHA/FAD/0/110/IV.”

The group therefore called on the commission to, as a matter of urgency, swing into action and launch an investigation into the alleged abuse of office, misappropriation and diversion of public funds by Honourable speaker.