ONDO ASSEMBLY SACKS LG BOSS

The Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday sacked Mr. Charles Akinniyi, the interim Chairman of Akoko-South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, over alleged graft and maladministration.

Consequently, the House ordered him to hand over government's property in his possession and refund over N11 million to the state government's coffers.

The amount is part of the fund he allegedly paid to cover up his irregular payments and misapplication of funds as chairman of the council.

His sack came after the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, led by Mr. Afolabi Akinsiku, began investigation into the petition written against him.

It would be recalled that the Assembly had earlier sent the council chairman on an indefinite suspension to aid investigation into allegations levelled against him. Submitting his report before the House on Wednesday, the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akinsiku, said the committee based its decision on oral interview and proper examination of relevant documents.

According to him, the committee also used a special audit report of the Auditor-General for local government in arriving at its decision. He added that investigation carried out by the committee showed vividly that the council boss did not follow due process in awarding contracts and the running of the council.

His words: 'Akinniyi defied all known principles of good governance and responsibility. The operation of the local government is also without strict adherence to the instruments guiding local government administration in the state, among other accusations.'

The committee also directed that all contracts unilaterally awarded by the sacked council boss be revisited, while the Local Government Service Commission should re-deploy the Director of Local Government Administration, Mrs. A. A. Ogunsola, Head of Finance and Supply, Mr. M. O. Okoro and the Head of Department of Works, Mr. B. O. Babarinde out of the local government.