The Lagos State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon, citing allegations of misconduct and defiance.
According to Channels, during Monday’s plenary session, the lawmakers voted unanimously to suspend Sulaimon, citing his failure to comply with the Assembly’s directives and a defiant attitude toward its legislative authority.
The Vice Chairman, Akinpelu Johnson, has been appointed to oversee the council’s operations in the interim.
The motion for Sulaimon’s suspension was brought forward by Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Okanlawon referenced an April 2024 incident in the Iyana-Ipaja area that resulted in the death of a resident, Michael Ajayi, revealing that an investigation had found the council chairman responsible for instigating the unrest.
According to Okanlawon, despite being invited to present his defense, Sulaimon continuously showed misconduct and refused to comply with Assembly orders, including those related to financial management and public accountability.
His actions, Okanlawon argued, violated sections of the amended 1999 Constitution.
Supporting the motion, Majority Leader Noheem Adams highlighted Sulaimon’s disregard for procurement processes and budgetary guidelines.
He stressed that the chairman’s suspension would serve as a warning to other local government leaders to maintain proper conduct.
Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, further backed the decision, pointing to a report from the State Auditor-General which revealed financial irregularities in Sulaimon’s administration.
The Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to officially communicate the suspension to all relevant authorities.
