Alleged Funds Diversion: Release Suspended Ogun LG Chairman- Falana Tells DSS

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Wale Adedayo, the suspended Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government in Ogun State.

Gatekeepers News reports that Adedayo had made allegations that Governor Dapo Abiodun diverted the statutory allocations meant for the 20 local governments in the state.

Subsequently, he was suspended for a period of three months due to charges of maladministration and financial mismanagement brought against him by seven out of the 11 councilors constituting the local government legislative council.

According to a statement released on Sunday, Falana revealed that Adedayo was summoned to appear at the Ogun State Command of the secret police on Friday.

“However, when he (Adedayo) turned up for the invitation on 1st September 2023, he was asked to respond to the petition submitted to the Command by the State Government,” the senior lawyer said.

“In the said petition, it was alleged that Mr. Adedayo had instigated widespread acts of public disturbance and chaos in Ijebu East Local Government. Even though the embattled Council boss denied the allegation of instigating acts of public disturbance, the State Security Service has decided to detain him due to his refusal to withdraw the allegation levelled against Governor Abiodun.”

Falana said though the Ogun State Government has denied the allegation of funds diversion, the governor should sue Adedayo for libel in the Ogun State High Court.

“Having regards to the facts and circumstances of this particular case, I am compelled to request the Ogun State Command of the SSS to release Mr. Adedayo from custody forthwith,” he said.