From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The past chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, Adesina Sikiru Adisa, has admitted before the Ogun State House of Assembly that his administration leased some acres of land belonging to the council to some politicians for 99 years while in office.
Adisa, who appeared before the Assembly’s Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, argued that he followed the due process in the lease agreement.
He, however, named a member representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Ibrahim Isiaka as the major beneficiary of the lease agreement.
A group, Concerned Citizens of Ewekoro Local Government, had written a petition to the Ogun State House Assembly, accusing Adisa’s administration of illegal sales and leasing of LG property land for 99 years fraudulently.
The House Committee had last Monday summoned the former LG chairman to appear before it, following the grilling of the Head of Local Administration (HOLGA) of the Council, Mrs Kemi Ogunyewo and other career officers.
Defending his action further, Adisa informed the House Committee headed by Bello Oluwadamilare, that all the land his administration leased to the NASS member was done with the approval of the Finance and General Purpose Committee (FIGPC) of the Ewekoro LGA.
He further explained that the property and land in question were leased to the Reps member under three different applications, but originated from the same person
Meanwhile, the defence of the former LG boss was in contrast with that of the HOLGA who had earlier informed the Committee that Ewekoro LG has records for four land leased to the federal lawmaker as against only one lease claimed by Adisa, which he said was for the purpose of constructing a skill acquisition centre for the youths of the local government.
The documents submitted by Ogunyewo before the committee also indicated that a particular leased two plots of land on which a privately owned shopping complex is built has no record of paying rent for the past seven years.
Consequent upon the revelations, the Assembly’s House Committee has summoned the House of Reps member, Isiaka, to appear before it.
The committee adjourned sitting till Tuesday September 17, 2024.
