By Olaitan Ibrahim
A shocking financial scandal has engulfed Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) as a staggering N7,157,742 was fraudulently withdrawn from the council’s account in a single day.
The revelation has sent shockwaves through the council, particularly as the council chairman, Bola Shobowale, battles severe health challenges, leaving her unable to oversee operations.
The withdrawals, allegedly facilitated through forged signatures, have raised serious questions about accountability and the integrity of financial operations within the council.
The scandal unfolds against the backdrop of Shobowale’s prolonged illness, which has left a leadership vacuum in the LCDA.
Local sources suggest that the lack of a clear succession or delegation protocol during Shobowale’s illness may have contributed to the fraudulent activities.
Sources close to the council alleged that the chairman’s incapacitation has emboldened unscrupulous actors to exploit her absence, further destabilising the already embattled administration.
“The chairman’s signature appears to have been forged for these transactions,” a source familiar with the council’s affairs disclosed. “This situation highlights a systemic failure to establish protocols that ensure seamless operations in her absence.”
The unfolding drama has cast a shadow over Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA, with calls mounting for transparency, accountability, and a swift resolution to restore public trust in the council’s operations.