The Ogun State House of Assembly has issued a stern warning to Chief Adewole Adetola, cautioning him to desist from parading himself as the Oba-Elect of Idokunusi Town, located in Ijebu-Imushin, Ijebu-East Local Government Area.
The directive was given during a session of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, chaired by Hon. Jemili Akingbade, which convened on Tuesday to address a petition submitted by the Ikunusi Descendants. The petition accused Chief Adetola of unlawfully claiming a coronet chieftaincy title without due process.
Hon. Akingbade emphasized that any chieftaincy title must be approved by the Ogun State Executive Council before recognition or installation can occur.
“No one is allowed to assume the title of Oba or any coronet chief without following the proper procedures and securing the State Executive Council’s approval,” Akingbade said. “You must immediately stop parading yourself as a monarch.”
He also urged the respondent to prioritize peace and harmony in the community.
“You must work with the people of Idokunusi to promote peaceful co-existence,” he added.
In a related development, the House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, led by Hon. Damilare Bello, continued its scrutiny of the 2023 audit reports of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The focus was on the Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), with a strong call for transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management.
“We are not here to witch-hunt, but we have a responsibility to ensure public funds are properly accounted for,” Bello stated during the review session held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. “We must prevent financial leakages and promote the culture of probity in governance.”
The committee requested comprehensive documentation from the Health Care Board, including its fixed asset register, tender board approvals, store records, and details on the 2023 UNICEF grant with the relevant Sterling Bank account statements.
Additionally, the committee asked SEMA to present more documents related to equipment and a breakdown of all areas affected by emergencies across the state during the period under review.
Responding to the queries, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, and the Director of SEMA, Mr. Olawale Shonde, assured lawmakers of their agencies’ commitment to transparency and pledged to submit all requested documents.
“We are ready to provide every document needed by the Committee,” said Dr. Ogunsola. “We understand the importance of accountability in public service.”
