- The Lagos State House of Assembly suspended Alimosho Local Government Chairman Jelili Sulaimon indefinitely for alleged misconduct and non-compliance with directives
- Vice Chairman Akinpelu Johnson was appointed as acting chairman, with the Assembly emphasizing the need for accountability in local governance
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday suspended Jelili Sulaimon, the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, indefinitely.
During a plenary session, the Assembly appointed the vice chairman of the council, Akinpelu Johnson, to immediately take over as the acting chairman.
The House also directed the council’s management, including the manager and treasurer, to recognize Johnson’s authority and provide him with the necessary support to ensure smooth operations.
The suspension of Sulaimon was passed by a unanimous vote following allegations of non-compliance, defiance, and disregard for the authority of the legislative body.
Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, moved the motion for Sulaimon’s suspension. Okanlawon recalled an incident from April 2024, when unrest in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Alimosho led to the death of Michael Ajayi.
He accused Sulaimon of instigating the chaos and noted that Sulaimon had continuously displayed misconduct in his dealings with the Assembly’s committee during the investigation of the incident.
Okanlawon also cited Sulaimon’s failure to comply with Assembly directives and alleged mismanagement of public funds as reasons for the suspension.
Supporting the motion, the Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, stated that Sulaimon’s disregard for procurement processes and the council’s budget, along with multiple instances of misconduct, warranted his indefinite suspension.
Hon. Nureni Akinsanya, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, backed the decision, referencing a report from the State Auditor-General highlighting financial irregularities in Sulaimon’s records and his non-compliance with financial regulations.
The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the session, instructed the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to inform all relevant authorities of the Assembly’s resolution.