In a dramatic turn of events, the Lagos State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon.
The Assembly cited serious allegations of misconduct, defiance, and financial irregularities.
The suspension, which was handed down on Monday during a heated plenary session, takes effect immediately.
The House, in a unanimous vote, appointed the council’s Vice Chairman, Akinpelu Johnson, to assume control of its affairs.
Legislators also issued directives to the council’s management team, including the manager and treasurer, to fully support Johnson in his new role.
The motion for Sulaimon’s suspension was spearheaded by Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He recounted a disturbing incident in April 2024, where chaos erupted in the Iyana-Ipaja area, tragically claiming the life of one Mr. Michael Ajayi.
Okanlawon’s committee, tasked with investigating the crisis, alleged that Sulaimon was the mastermind behind the violence.
“Despite repeated summons and directives, Jelili Sulaimon has displayed nothing but flagrant defiance and disrespect toward this legislative House,” Okanlawon charged, accusing the chairman of blatant misconduct and gross mismanagement of public funds.
The gravity of the situation was echoed by Majority Leader Noheem Adams, who threw his full weight behind the suspension.
“This action is necessary not only to restore order in Alimosho but to send a strong message to other local government chairmen who think they are above the law. Sulaimon has consistently failed to follow procurement processes and the budget. This cannot continue,” Adams said.
Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, referenced a damning report from the State Auditor-General, which laid bare financial irregularities and non-compliance with statutory regulations under Sulaimon’s leadership. The report further solidified the case for the embattled chairman’s suspension.
Other lawmakers, including Hon. Ladi Ajomale and Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, expressed their shock at Sulaimon’s persistent defiance, despite previous warnings and reports outlining his misdeeds.
Olumoh also called for the appearance of Kolade Alabi and Rasak Ajala, chairmen of Bariga and Odi Olowo LCDAs, respectively, as representatives of the Conference 57, to address the growing pattern of disregard for governance protocols by council chairmen.
In a final directive, Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa ordered the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to formally communicate the Assembly’s resolution to all relevant authorities, marking the beginning of what could be a far-reaching investigation into governance practices across Lagos’ local councils.