A pro-democracy group, Concerned Nigerians has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate and prosecute the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Honourable Mudashiru Obasa over alleges corruption and mismanagement.
In the petition, the group through its convener Comrade Deji Adeyanju, said, “we write in line with your mandate to investigate, prosecute and penalise economic and financial crimes calling upon you to begin an investigation of the Speaker of Lagos State House Of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
“In the past weeks, an Online investigative newspaper, Sahara Reporters has in a series of publications, reported that Hon. Mudashiru Obasa illegally collected N45,750,00 for a Christmas party for children of Lawmakers that was never held.
Subsequently, the Speaker also approved the sum of N258.8m for the printing of invitation cards for the inauguration of lawmakers two months after the event had been held
The document explicitly stated that the fund was processed on the orders of Obasa for the inauguration of the Ninth Assembly with 34 returning members and six new members, which was held on June 7, 2019.
The document, which was used for the approval and release of the funds, was fraudulently processed two months after the event had taken place. The document was titled “Celebrations and Ceremonies” and was dated August 7, 2019.
It reads, “Being payment approved for the printing of invitation cards during the inauguration of the 9th Assembly as per Hon. Speaker’s approval vide LSHA/LM/C/276.”
“It was also revealed how the Speaker approved N17m monthly to maintain his personal residence and guest house, and N53m from the state coffers to travel with his mistress to the United States of America.”
“19 lawmakers led by Obasa and Sanni went for a women leadership programme and received N80 million as estacode after returning from the programme. The document dated December 30, 2019, stated that the payment was released on the orders of the Lagos Assembly Speaker.
“Payment approved as Estacode to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Deputy Speaker, 14 officers and 17 members to attend the women leadership seminar scheduled to hold at the Movenpick Hotel and Suite, Dubai, as per Rt. Hon. Speaker’s vide LSHA/FAD/0/110/IV,” the document read.”
“We call on the commission to as a matter of urgency, swing into action and launch an investigation into the alleged abuse of office, misappropriation and diversion of public funds by Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
