JUST IN: Lagos lawmakers reject three Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet nominees

Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday confirmed 35 out of 38
of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for commissioners and
special advisers.

The exercise was after the final screening and adopting the
recommendation of the ad-hoc committee on screening as the
resolution of the whole House.

The three nominees who were denied confirmation are: Prince
Olanrewaju Sanusi, Mr. Obafemi George and Ms Adekemi
Ajayi-Bembe.

Speaker Mudasiru Obasa said the governor was at liberty to
represent them to the House.

The committee report, which was read by the chairman of the
ad-hoc committee, Chief Whip, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, recommended the
nominees be confirmed by the whole House according to section 192
(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Obasa however cautioned the cabinet- designate that the House
would not hesitate to pass a vote-of-no- confidence on any of them
found wanting after they assume office.

The 38 nominees had been screened by a 16-man ad-hoc committee
set up by the Assembly for the exercise

They were however called individually on Monday to appear before
the whole House at plenary to introduce themselves fully.

The speaker told the nominees that the House would not fail in
its oversight to ensure that each performed his responsibility to
the people of Lagos.

Urging them to prioritise service to the people, saying that the
House would not hesitate to pass vote of no confidence on anyone
found wanting.

The speaker added that the House was not concerned about the
academic qualifications and oratory prowess of any of the nominees
but readiness and commitment to serve the state.

“Even after the confirmation, we will continue to monitor
whatever offices you are assigned to ensure value for public fund.
We will continue to oversight your activities.

“We will not hesitate to pass vote of no confidence any time
anyone is found wanting,” the Speaker said.

Those cleared as commissioners and special advisers are: Mr
Oladele Ajayi, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, Mr
Kabiru Abdullahi and Mr Joe Igbokwe.

Others are Mr Bonu Solomon Saanu, Mrs Lola Akande, Prince Anofi
Elegushi, Mrs Solape Hammond, Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Mrs
Shulamite Adebolu, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, Mr. Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo, Mrs.
Folashade Adefisayo, Professor Akin Abayomi, Dr. Idris Salako, Mr.
Tunji Bello, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Mrs.
Bolaji Dada.

Others included: Mr. Lere Odusote, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, Mr.
Gbolahan Lawal, Dr. Wale Ahmed, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo (SAN), Mr.
Hakeem Fahm and Mrs. Ajibola Ponle.

Also confirmed were Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, Mr. Segun Dawodu,
Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Mr. Sam Egube, Ms Ruth Bisola Olusanya,
Princess Aderemi Adebowale, Mr. Tunbosun Alake and Mr. Afolabi
Ayantayo.

The rejection and confirmation were done through a voice vote
supervised by the Speaker.

However, the swearing-in and inauguration of the cleared
nominees have been fixed for Tuesday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium
in Alausa, Ikeja by 10 am.

Dasuki’s ONSA: EFCC Arraigns Woman, Oshodin over
Security Vote

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday,
August 19, 2019 arraigned Mrs. Isabella Oshodin and Bob Oshodin
Organisation Ltd before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High
Court, Abuja on a 25-count charge bordering on money laundering to
the tune of N22,964,228,414 (Twenty-two Billion, Nine Hundred and
Sixty-four Million, Two Hundred and Twenty-eight Thousand Four
Hundred and Fourteen Naira).

Oshodin is alleged to have on 16 occasions, received the sums of
N500,000,000; N750,000,000; N125,000,000; N350,000,000;
N170,000,000; N85,000,000; N60,000,000; N50,000,000 and others
which totalled N2,366,000,000 (Two Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty
Six Million Naira) from the Office of the National Security
Adviser, ONSA under then NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).

Investigations further revealed that the defendant on eight
occasions received from Dasuki’s ONSA sums totalling $57,217,301.15
(Fifty-seven Million, Two Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Three
Hundred and One US Dollars, Fifteen Cents) into the Escrow accounts
of Bob Oshodin Organisation Ltd.

Count two of the charges reads: “That you, Mrs. Isabela Mimie
Oshodin, Bob Oshodin Organisation Ltd and Mr. Robert (Bob) Oshodin
(still at large) on or about 22nd June, 2014 in Abuja within the
jurisdiction of this honourable Court directly transferred the sum
of $7,712,598 (Seven Million, Seven Hundred and Twelve Thousand,
Five Hundred and Ninety-eight Dollars) to one Portfolio Escrow
Company with account number 3102004330 domiciled in California
Republic Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably
ought to have known to be proceed of an unlawful act of Sambo
Dasuki (rtd), the then National Security Adviser to wit: criminal
breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to
Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Provision) Act, 2011as
amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same
Act.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when read to
her.

In view of her plea, prosecuting counsel, Aisha Tahar Habib
prayed the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

“I have noticed my lord the second defendant is not represented,
notwithstanding, in view of the first defendant’s plea of not
guilty, I will like to ask for a date for trial,” she said.

However, counsel for the defendant, Osahor Odemodia, informed
the court of the bail application for his client, and urged the
court to grant her bail on liberal terms, pending the commencement
of trial.

But Habib opposed the application for bail, informing the court
of a counter-affidavit filed on July 10, 2019, and so urged the
court to refuse her bail, and instead, give the case accelerated
hearing.

The trial judge, thereafter, adjourned to August 21, 2019 and
ordered the defendant to be remanded in EFCC custody pending the
ruling on the bail application.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
August 19, 2019