MOUTHPIECE NIGERIA reports that Councillors of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have unanimously suspended the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Micheal Olateju Alabi, over allegations of financial misappropriation and gross misconduct.
He was suspended on Monday by 8 councillors at a sitting presided over by the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Adeniran Issa, who assumed leadership following the suspension of the House Leader.
Those who moved for his suspension are Hon. Okunade Bukunmi Adekunle (Ward 2), Hon. Audu Rafiu Olanrewaju (Ward 3), Hon. Ayinla Saheed (Ward 4), Hon. Ogundele Abiodun (Ward 5), Hon. Adeniran Isa (Ward 6), Hon. Ojosola Mathew (Ward 7), Hon. Olapade Emmanuel (Ward 9), and Hon. Oyebamiji Sunday (Ward 10).
Following the suspension, the legislative arm directed the Vice Chairperson of the local government, Hon. Mrs. Lydia Bankole, to take charge in acting capacity until further confirmation by the Oyo State House of Assembly as substantive chairman.
According to the resolution of the House, the decisions reached at the sitting include:
RESOLUTIONS OF THE HOUSE
- That the chairman, Hon. Micheal Olateju Alabi, is hereby suspended from office based on financial improprieties and acts of gross misconduct levelled against him and his office.
- That the Oyo State House of Assembly should take further constitutional steps to remove him from office based on the proven allegations against him.
- That his case should be further referred to the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency for thorough investigation and possible prosecution.
- That the Vice Chairman, Hon. Mrs. Lydia Bankole, should assume office as Acting Chairman until further confirmation by the State House of Assembly as substantive chairman.
- That the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Adeniran Issa, now resumes as Leader of the House.
The development has thrown the council into a fresh political tension, as residents await the position of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the state government on the matter.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the suspended chairman for his reaction were unsuccessful.
