This amount has raised eyebrows, as evaluations suggest that the project should not have exceeded N15 million, according to a copy of the petition obtained by SaharaReporters.
A group of concerned citizens, the Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of fraudulent activities involving the Lagos State House of Assembly.
At the center of the controversy is the construction of a gate at the Lagos State House of Assembly, which allegedly cost a staggering N17billion.
This amount has raised eyebrows, as evaluations suggest that the project should not have exceeded N15 million, according to a copy of the petition obtained by SaharaReporters.
The group has also expressed concerns about the handling of Constituency Intervention Funds and Constituency Project Funds by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, and the Clerk, Mr. Onafeko Olalekan Biliamin.
The petition stated further that Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has a personal relationship with the EFCC Chairman, which they fear may compromise the investigation. They have also alleged that Hon. Nurain Akinsanya, representing Mushin Constituency 1, was involved in the fraudulent construction of the Ikeja Local Government secretariat.
The petition reads: “It has been reported that a project involving the construction of this gate has been allocated an exorbitant sum of N17billion, whereas evaluations suggest that such a project should not cost more than N15million. This raises serious concerns about the mismanagement and potential misappropriation of public funds.
“Furthermore, there have been persistent allegations of fraudulent activities surrounding the handling of Constituency Intervention Funds and Constituency Project Funds by Hon. Obasa and the Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Onafeko Olalekan Biliamin.
“Nigerians deserve clarity and accountability regarding how these funds are being utilized. These are some of the companies that served as surrogates for syphoning public funds: Xenon Construction Ltd, Plot 12, CIPM Road, Alausa, Ikeja, and Visible construction Ltd. J9C4+HWW, Agidingbi, Lagos Other companies will be forwarded in due course.
“We also have information from grapevine that Hon. Obasa is reported to have claimed he enjoyed good relationship with the Chairman of the Commission and that he went with him to the National Assembly for screening when he was to be confirmed as the Chairman of the Anti corruption Commission but that he also facilitated Mr Ola Olukayode’s emergence as a nominee and by extension retained personal relationship with the EFCC Chairman.
“However, we trust that this relationship will not influence the pursuit of justice in this and other matters of national importance as we know the commission’s chairman will not be swayed by those rumors.
“Also, there are also some fraudulent construction of Ikeja Local Government secretariat and forcefully collection of the project from the Local Government Chairman with the supervision of Hon Nurain Akinsanya representing Mushin Contituency 1.
“In light of the above, we kindly request the EFCC to: 1. Investigate the allocation and expenditure of N17 billion on the gate construction project.
2. Examine the management of Constituency Intervention and Project Funds in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
3. Take appropriate actions to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice.
“We are confident that the Commission will handle this matter with the utmost professionalism and impartiality to uphold the principles of democracy, accountability, and good governance,” the petition added.
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