In a significant development on Thursday, five out of the eleven councilors voted to impeach Hon. Wale Adedayo, who served as the chairman of the Ijebu East Local Government Area in Ogun State.
This decision followed a series of allegations, including financial misappropriation and the diversion of council funds, levied against Adedayo.
The impeachment proceedings were detailed in a statement signed by the Leader of the House, Hon. Fasheyi Akindele, and subsequently obtained by Tribune Online in Abeokuta.
The sequence of events leading to Adedayo’s impeachment began with his suspension, triggered by his earlier accusation of the diversion of local government funds and zero allocation against Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
However, the primary cause for his impeachment shifted to allegations of funds misappropriation within the council area.
Akindele, the House Leader, noted that Adedayo had previously disregarded invitations from the House on multiple occasions.
Still, he eventually appeared before the legislative council to address the allegations against him.
Adedayo arrived at the secretariat accompanied by his aides at approximately 7:45 am.
The impeachment session commenced at about half-past 10:00 am, with the councillors arriving in a civilian coaster bus marked OGUN AH 782 DED. The proceedings lasted nearly two hours.
Akindele clarified that the legislative council comprises 11 lawmakers, with five voting in favor of Adedayo’s impeachment, four voting against, one member absent, and the whereabouts of the 11th person unspecified in the statement.
The statement excerpt reads, “The councillors of Ijebu East Local Government of Ogun State impeached the suspended Chairman of the local government, Hon. Wale Adedayo, earlier today, over allegations of financial misappropriation and diversion of council funds, among other allegations made against him.”
During the impeachment session, Adedayo admitted to diverting federal allocations sent to the council by the state government for purposes other than those approved.
He also acknowledged spending council funds until August 2023, even though the budget had not been approved, contrary to legal regulations.
Furthermore, Adedayo confessed to using N5.2 million for the production of 20 pieces of chairs and tables instead of the 290 chairs, as approved by the state government. Regarding the issue of illegal levies and stickers for commercial transport operators, he claimed he believed the House had passed the relevant bill, but the House Leader reminded him that such a bill would require joint signatures from the leader of the house and the council chairman.
This revelation established that Adedayo had violated Ogun State Local Government Laws 2006 and committed serious impeachable offenses.
After approximately three hours of deliberation, the councilors voted on his impeachment, with five in favor, four against, and one abstention.
Consequently, the Leader of the House officially pronounced Mr. Wale Adedayo impeached as the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government.
As of the time of reporting, Adedayo’s mobile line was unavailable for comment or reaction to the impeachment.
