By Olawale Kolawole, Abeokuta
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has been accused of misappropriating ₦6 billion earmarked for constituency intervention projects, with no visible evidence of the projects' execution.
It was also alleged that Obasa collected funds to attend the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Mexico City, scheduled for September 15–20, 2024, but failed to participate in the event.
The speaker has faced multiple allegations of financial impropriety over the years, including accusations of diverting public funds. Despite these claims, he has not been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Recent Budget Controversy
The latest allegations revolve around the budget performance report of the Lagos State House of Assembly for the 2023 fiscal year and the first quarter of 2024. According to reports, the document was distributed to lawmakers by a dispatch rider. The report allegedly detailed the House’s financial activities, including total expenditures, capital projects, and overhead costs.
Shortly after the documents were delivered, it was alleged that Obasa directed the sergeant-at-arms to retrieve the reports from lawmakers’ offices. Secretaries who were in the process of delivering the documents to their principals were also reportedly instructed to hand them over immediately.
The move has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the Assembly's financial management. Critics argue that retrieving the documents suggests an attempt to suppress critical information about the Assembly’s expenditures.
Call for Investigation
Observers and civil society groups have renewed calls for a thorough investigation into Obasa’s tenure, urging the EFCC and other relevant agencies to scrutinize the allegations of financial misconduct.
As pressure mounts for transparency and accountability, the Lagos State House of Assembly is facing heightened public scrutiny over its financial operations.
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