Immediate past chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Hon. Sikiru Adesina on Tuesday admitted before the state’s House of Assembly (OGHA) probing allegations of fraud levelled against him over leasing of government land to some politicians for 99 years without recourse to due process.
This is coming just as the embattled former Council Chairman revealed the identity of beneficiary of the illegal lease and other council’s property as a serving House of Representatives member representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka.
These were part of Adesina’s defence before the Assembly’s Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-corruption probing the illegal deal when he appeared at the resumed hearing to defend himself over allegations of fraudulent sales and lease of government lands and property levelled against by the concerned Citizens of Ewekoro LGA.
Speaking before the House’s Committee, chaired by Hon. Bello Oluwadamilare, he also said all the government lands leased to the National Assembly (NASS) member, Isiaka were done with the approval of the Finance and General Purpose Committee (FIGPC) of Ewekoro LGA, irrespective of wether such lease complied or not with the existing Ogun State Local Government laws.
Adesina who is seeking reelection on the forthcoming local government elections in the state, explained to the committee that those property in question were leased to Hon. Isiaka under three different applications, but originated from the same federal lawmaker.
Meanwhile, Adesina’s defence before the OGHA committee was in sharp contrast with that of the Head of Locals Government Administration (HOLGA), Mrs. Kemi Ogunyewo who informed the committee that the Council has record for four land leased to the federal lawmaker as against one claimed by Adesina for the purpose of constructing a skill acquisition centre for youths if Ewekoro LGA.
The documents submitted by Ogunyewo before the committee also indicated that a particular two plots of land leased on which a privately owned shopping complex is sitting has no record of paying rent for the past over seven years.
Consequent upon the revelations, the Assembly’s House Committee has however, summoned the House of Reps member, Hon. Isiaka to appear before it in respect to the government’s properties allegedly leased to him in the council with following the due process before adjourning its sitting till next week Tuesday 17th September, 2024.
