Ogun Assembly Speaker, Kunle Oluomo, Impeached

SPEAKER of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, has been impeached.

Eighteen out of the twenty-six members of the state Assembly voted in favour of Oluomo’s impeachment during today’s plenary.  

Oluomo was impeached on charges of embezzlement, haughtiness, and other offences.

The lawmakers cited alleged financial misappropriation as one of the reasons for Oluomo’s removal.

They accused the impeached Speaker of embezzlement of quarters renovation fund, non-disclosure of House of Assembly finances, embezzlement of monthly seminar/training fund, embezzlement of philanthropic gesture extended to the House as well as spending House funds on personal travels without the consent and approval of the House.

The lawmakers also accused the former Speaker of inciting House members against each other such as creating conflicts and fanning the ember of discord between Legislative and Executive arms of government and using foul language against the members. Oluomo was further accused by the lawmakers of forcing his opinion on members, as well as obstructing and restricting members from performing their legislative duties.

He was also accused of arrogance and poor leadership, such as flagrant disobedience to the court of law and collective decisions of the House and not being a team player.

The Assembly immediately elected a member, Oludaisi Elemide, as the new Speaker.

Oluomo represents the Ifo 1 State Constituency and was re-elected unopposed in June last year. The new Speaker, Hon Oludaisi Elemide, showed interest in the position before the inauguration of the 10th Assembly in 2023 but chickened out at the last minute despite reportedly having the backing of a majority of House members, leading to the emergence of Hon Oluomo as the Speaker.  

Giving his maiden speech after the impeachment, the new Speaker asked for calm among members. He said that the impeachment was not targeted against the governor of the state Dapo Abiodun as being speculated in some quarters. He said that the development is within the constitutional rights of the members to elect those who lead them in the House.

The House later adjourned plenary for two weeks, with the new Speaker in possession of the maze, the symbol of authority of the House.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on 6th September 2022, arraigned Oluomo before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over an alleged N2.475bn money laundering.

Oluomo was arraigned alongside three others: Oladapo Samuel, Adeyemo Taiwo, and Adeyanju Nimota Amoke (now at large) on 11 counts of conspiracy, forgery, stealing, and money laundering. 

The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) had told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences between 2019 and 2022. He said that the incident took place in Ogun State.

Eighteen-Eleven Media