The Ogun State House of Assembly has cleared its former Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, of allegations of embezzlement and financial misconduct that led to his removal from office in January 2024, following an internal investigation that found no evidence to support the claims.
The Assembly also resolved to commute Oluomo’s removal from office to a resignation, bringing a significant twist to one of the state’s most contentious legislative disputes.
The decision was reached during Wednesday’s plenary at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, after lawmakers considered the report of the Committee of the Whole House presented by the Deputy Speaker, Lateefat Ajayi.
The report stemmed from a motion filed by Oluomo on March 31, in which he urged the Assembly to either provide evidence to substantiate the allegations against him or formally clear his name.
Presenting the committee’s findings, Ajayi said the allegation of embezzlement was not included in the official notice of removal served on the former Speaker.
She added that investigations conducted by the House failed to establish any evidence that Oluomo diverted public funds or engaged in financial misconduct.
Following the presentation, Ajayi moved a motion for the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Yusuf Amosun and unanimously approved by lawmakers through a voice vote.
The Assembly explained that its decision was influenced by Oluomo’s appeal, in which he invoked Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, arguing that he was entitled to a fair hearing and that the allegations levelled against him should either be substantiated with evidence or withdrawn.
Although the lawmakers exonerated the former Speaker of financial wrongdoing, they maintained that his removal from office remained a constitutional action validly taken by the legislature.
Oluomo, who represents Ifo Constituency I in the Assembly, was removed as Speaker in January 2024 after a majority of lawmakers accused him of financial misappropriation, high-handed leadership, lack of transparency in the management of the Assembly’s finances and other alleged infractions.
The motion for his removal was moved by Adegoke Adeyanju, representing Yewa North I Constituency, and seconded by Ademola Adeniran, who represents Sagamu II Constituency, during a plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker Ajayi.
Following his removal, lawmakers immediately elected Oludaisi Elemide as the new Speaker of the Assembly.
At the time, the House said the impeachment followed months of internal disagreements over the administration of the legislature and concerns about the management of the Assembly’s finances.
However, the latest report has overturned one of the key allegations that dominated the impeachment process, concluding that there was no evidence to support claims that Oluomo embezzled public funds or engaged in financial misconduct.
Oluomo had consistently denied the allegations after his removal from office, insisting they were politically motivated.
The Assembly’s latest resolution effectively clears him of the financial allegations while affirming that his removal itself was a constitutional decision taken by the House.
