The tone for the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Ondo state, Alhaji Alli Olanusi may have been set as the state’s lawmakers on Tuesday served a notice to the effect hinging their decision over allegations of gross misconduct, financial misappropriation, absenteeism from official duties and allegedly causing political disaffection in the cabinet of the state government. Alli Olanusi, had few hours to the May 28th Presidential election defected from the Peoples Democratic party to the All Progressives Congress.
The impeachment notice signed by 20 of the 26 lawmakers was announced by the speaker, Jumoke Akindele after the clerk, read 7 allegations against the deputy governor.
Majority Leader of the House Ifedayo Akinsoyinu moved the motion that the notice be served on the deputy governor. The motion was seconded by Hon Adeyinka Banso from Akoko North West 2.
The speaker thus ruled that Alhaji Olanusi be served the notice personally, through his office, pasted on his residence and through a national daily, a decision which got a unanimous yes from all the lawmakers present .
Addressing newsmen after the sitting, chairman of House committee on Information, Kunle Olujuyigbe assured that the House will follow due process and allow the deputy governor respond to all the allegations against him.
Allegations made against the deputy governor include permitting and condoning the perpetration of fraudulent activities in his office “ in that one Alhaji Bola Idris Olanusi, the younger brother and Special Assistant in the office of the Deputy Governor procured false LPO’s with the knowledge of Alhaji Ali Olanusi and obtained from one EHISO RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, two (02) Trucks of AGO with forged documents and for personal benefits, thereby putting the office of the Deputy Governor into disrepute.
The deputy governor, being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor, was also accused to have at various dates, collected various sums of money “for the purpose of travelling and medical bill as follows: 2009 (N8,175,410), 2010 (N8,952,600), 2013 (N10,833,200) and 2014 (N11,328,100) when in actual fact, the said Alhaji Ali Olanusi did not travel on the said specified dates or did not travel at all and, or did not expend the approved medical bills as appropriate, thereby unlawfully enriching himself and/or causing loss to the State Government”.
The lawmakers further accused the deputy governor of engaging in political conduct “designed to undermine the office of the Governor by causing political disaffection and deliberately working at cross purposes with the Governor and the Executive Council of the State with a view to destabilizing the State government by openly canvassing for the impeachment of the Governor following the Presidential Election conducted on 28th of March, 2015 which amounts to an act of gross misconduct under the provisions of the Constitution.
The deputy governor was also accused of engaging in absenteeism and truancy by regularly absenting himself from office, place of work and all other official engagements specifically on 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th of April and Monday, 20th of April, 2015 without lawful excuse or authorization but generally acting in a manner inconsistent with the dictates and expectations of the high office of the Deputy Governor of a State, thus, undermining the governance process, an act which amount to gross misconduct under the constitution.
Part of allegations made against the state’s number two citizen was that on or about Wednesday 15th April 2015 he caused his security aides to shoot indiscriminately at peaceful protesters along Fiwasaiye/Oba Adesida Road in Akure thus creating panic, breakdown of law and order, and general sense of insecurity within the State under the pretext that the said protesters disrupted his convoy, an act, the lawmakers said was unbecoming of the holder of the high office of the Deputy Governor.
Part of allegations made against the state’s number two citizen was that on or about Wednesday 15th April 2015 he caused his security aides to shoot indiscriminately at peaceful protesters along Fiwasaiye/Oba Adesida Road in Akure thus creating panic, breakdown of law and order, and general sense of insecurity within the State under the pretext that the said protesters disrupted his convoy, an act, the lawmakers said was unbecoming of the holder of the high office of the Deputy Governor.
The lawmakers said they are acting in pursuant to provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
