POLITICS

Ondo State House of Assembly Levels Serious Allegations Against Deputy Governor

Published

7 months ago

September 28, 2023

Stella Charles Akupue

The Ondo State House of Assembly has formally accused the embattled Deputy Governor, Lucky Orimison Aiyedatiwa, of engaging in grave misconduct through a series of allegations. These allegations were detailed in a letter dated Wednesday, September 20, 2023, and were signed by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi.

Titled “Notice Of Allegation Of Gross Misconduct Against Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Deputy Governor, Ondo State,” the letter outlines a total of 14 allegations against the Deputy Governor:

Allegation Number One: Aiyedatiwa publicly made false allegations against the Governor’s health, amounting to gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Two: He engaged in political conduct designed to undermine the office of the Governor by canvassing for the Governor’s impeachment during his medical vacation, also constituting gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Three: Aiyedatiwa worked to cause division among the State’s Executive Council to impeach the Governor, another act of misconduct.

Allegation Number Four: He contravened his oath of office and abused the Code of Conduct for public officers by engaging in other businesses, bringing the office of the Deputy Governor into disrepute.

Allegation Number Five: Aiyedatiwa collected funds for travel in June and July 2023, which he did not undertake, resulting in unlawful enrichment and losses to the State Government.

Allegation Number Six: He purportedly spent a considerable sum on the purchase of tyres and batteries for his convoy vehicles, constituting a waste of government funds and an abuse of office.

Allegation Number Seven: Aiyedatiwa falsely purchased an automatic transmission box for an armoured SUV Staff car for an exorbitant amount, and it remains doubtful whether the vehicle was repaired and utilized. This is considered corrupt practice and gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Eight: He collected funds for travel to Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas in February 2023, enriching himself unlawfully and causing losses to the State Government.

Allegation Number Nine: On June 4, 2023, he assaulted and inflicted bodily harm on his spouse, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, contravening the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2020, and committing gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Ten: Aiyedatiwa misappropriated the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira meant for the Local Government administration of Ondo State, an act of gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Eleven: He conspired with the then Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akin Sowore, to collect gratifications totalling Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira from persons applying to be traditional rulers for personal enrichment, contravening relevant laws and committing gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Twelve: Aiyedatiwa misappropriated One Hundred Million Naira approved for the State Emergency Management Agency, violating the constitution and committing gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Thirteen: He also misappropriated the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira meant for the State Emergency Management Agency, which once again constitutes an act of gross misconduct.

Allegation Number Fourteen: Aiyedatiwa flagrantly approved One Hundred Million Naira as a capital vote for the State Emergency Management Agency without due process, misappropriating the funds for personal use, and contravening extant Public Service Rules, amounting to gross misconduct.

These serious allegations have further escalated the ongoing crisis surrounding the Deputy Governor’s tenure, casting a shadow over his continued role in the state’s administration.