By Mojisola Oladele
Osun State House of Assembly says it will not tolerate the diversion of public funds meant to cater for the salaries, healthcare delivery, education, and community development of the State.
The Speaker of the House, Prince Adewale Egbedun stated this while addressing newsmen at the Assembly Complex, Osogbo.
He was reacting to the continuous unlawful stay of some politicians in the local government secretariats and alleged illegal disbursement of Local Government Funds for personal uses.
Prince Egbedun emphasized that the House would not fold its arms and watch, while actions that could undermine the rule of law, democratic governance, and the welfare of the people at the grassroots continue unabated.
The Speaker on behalf of other lawmakers expressed dismay that individuals whose elections were nullified by courts of competent jurisdiction, and whose self-awarded tenure has since expired on 22nd October, 2025, still, unlawfully occupy local government secretariats and interfere with public funds.
“The House notes with grave concern that individuals whose elections were nullified by courts of competent jurisdiction, and whose self-awarded tenure has since expired by effluxion of time on 22nd October, 2025, continue to unlawfully occupy Local Government secretariats and interfere with Local Government finances.”
Prince Egbedun who noted that such individuals have no legal mandate and are not recognised by the law, by the courts, or by the constitution, stressed that their continued presence in the helms of affairs of local councils is illegal and must be checked.
He said based on credible information, huge sums of Local Government Funds have been reportedly paid to the sacked local government chairmen.
“The Osun State House of Assembly formally places on record that it has written repeatedly to banks, including the United Bank for Africa Plc, UBA, clearly educating them on the law. Under extant Osun State laws and regulations governing Local Government administration, only career officers duly appointed under the Local Government Service Commission, including Directors of Finance and Directors of Administration and General Services, are lawful signatories to Local Government accounts.”
He added that any bank that releases Local Government Funds on the instructions of unauthorised persons, acts unlawfully and exposes itself and its officers to criminal liability.
Edited by Olaolu Fawole
