Ogun Assembly summons ex-commissioner over alleged financial infractions

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The Ogun Assembly has summoned a former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile, for clarification of some financial infractions contained in the 2021 and 2022 audit reports.

Mr Damilare Bello, Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, issued the directive on Monday in Abeokuta while considering the Ministry’s auditor reports for 2021 and 2022 as presented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Waheed Adesina.

The assembly also summoned a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Abiodun Awere, and the Director of Finance and Accounts who served in the Ministry during the period under review.

Bello in company of other members of the committee submitted that the invited officials were expected to appear before the committee on Feb. 29 at 1.00pm.

He added that they were to provide further information on various infractions regarding N92.9 million released to the ministry from the Governor’s contingency fund to supplement funds released for the expenditures of the Ministry.

The lawmaker also directed the Ministry’s Director of Finance and Accounts to furnish the Committee with further details on the transfer of N2.51 million to individual accounts as contained in the Year 2021 Auditor General Report.

“It was observed from the available records and bank statements of the Agency that over N2.5 million was transferred to the personal accounts of Mr Ojo Emmanuel, Special Adviser on Media to the governor, for the purchase of working tools for government New Media Team.

“This was a breach of the due process procedure and it is against financial Regulations No. 614.

“It is advised that funds should be transferred directly to the vendors bank accounts and not individual personal accounts for the purpose of accountability and transparency,” he said.

Bello equally directed the Director, Finance and Accounts to avail the committee with the Ministry’s up-to-date fixed asset register, while requesting for the submission of the cash inflows and outflows.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Adesina assured the committee that efforts were being made to guide against issues raised in the audit report.

He promised that the Ministry would comply with all the directives with a view to continually promoting accountability and transparency in the running of Ministry.