We Have No Allegation Of Fraud Against Ex- Commissioner, Others – Ogun Assembly Clarifies Invitation

ABEOKUTA – Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, led by Hon. Damilare Bello on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 continues with its sittings with a clarification that the invitation extended to the former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abdul-Waheed Odusile and the SSA to the Governor on Media, Emmanuel Ojo was not an indictment but rather to seek clarifications on the audit report of the Ministry.

Hon. Bello issued the clarification on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 during the Committee’s meeting with the officials of the State Hospitals Management Board at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Committee Chairman in company of other members including Honourables Musefiu Lamidi, Dickson Awolaja, Wahab Haruna, Yusuf Amosun, Folawewo Salami, Lawal Samsideen and Waliu Owode noted that the sitting was not meant to witch- hunt, but to put the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government on their toes in the prudent management of government resources.

He recalled that at the last sitting of the Committee, there was a misinformation in some sections of the media insinuating fraudulent practices, cautioning that the Committee had not indicted anyone, but merely considering issues raised in the audit reports with a view to addressing them.

He stated, “on Monday, February 19, 2024 at our last sitting, there was a misinformation that this Honourable House has indicted the ex- Commissioner and the SSA (Media), we have not indicted anyone. We have only used the media to invite them for clarification on the Auditor General reports in line with our constitutional responsibilities.

It is important to note that this House has no reason to witch-hunt anyone. We are only making sure the people see our Governor working alongside with the legislators with the right procedure to achieve all the Government lofty policies and programmes”, he stated.

He urged the public to disregard the scandal rumour, saying not everything found on the media space might be the right picture of things coming from the Assembly.

He called on Heads of MDAs to work together with the Assembly in blocking all leakages and help promote accountability and transparency in the running of government in the State.