Gov. Sanwo-Olu Signs Bill Establishing Anti-Corruption Commission Into Law

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed a bill establishing an
anti-corruption commission in the state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu assented to the Public Complaints and
Anti-Corruption Commission Bill of 2021 at a brief ceremony held in
Alausa on Monday.

The legislation, sponsored by the executive arm of the
government, was signed into law days after it was passed by the
House of Assembly.

With the legislation coming into force, the anti-corruption
commission, which will be formally set up in the coming days by the
governor, is backed by the instrument of law to investigate and
prosecute officials of the state government and registered
contractors indicted for economic crimes and financial
misappropriation.

Also, Mr Sanwo-Olu assented to the Lagos State Lotteries and
Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, initiated by the executive arm to
coordinate activities of lotteries agencies operating within the
State.

After the signing of the two bills into law, Mr Sanwo-Olu said
the action was a testimony to the State Government’s effort towards
entrenching accountability in governance and checking malfeasance
among officers entrusted with public resources.

He said: “The bill establishing Public Complaints and
Anti-Corruption Commission is an important legislation critical to
the delivery of quality services to the citizens. When we came in,
we had said we would be accountable and responsible in the
appropriation of the State’s resources. We want to stand in front
of the citizens to give account on how public funds are being
spent.

“To give credence to this promise, the executive arm initiated
the bill and sent to the Assembly for approval. We believe that
this law would not only ensure accountability of public funds,
responsibility of public office, but also promote dialogue among
public officers to keep the trust of the people in the discharge of
their duties in line with transparency. The anti-corruption
commission will ensure that all approved activities are implemented
in accordance with budgetary allocation.”

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the anti-corruption commission would be
independent in its operations and functions, pointing out that the
agency would complement efforts of similar agencies in the police
and federal establishment.

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, the governor
disclosed, is to simplify and incorporate technological innovations
in the gaming sector.

The law sought to harmonise five gaming and lottery formats,
such as casino, jackpot, pool, lotto and sports betting, thereby
regulating the sector and checking fraudulent activities of
unregistered game centres within the State.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the former lottery law of the state did not
meet the contemporary needs in the industry, which was why the
executive initiated the bill to accommodate technology in
regulating the business.

“As a forward-looking government, we are doing the needful to
ensure fair play, regulation and monitoring is brought back into
the gaming industry. The law is not in any form to stifle
investment, but to offer better platform for lottery companies to
enhance equity, transparency and make their investment more
rewarding,” the Governor said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu reiterated that his government’s actions would
continue to be taken in a way that would boost the confidence of
the public and promote accountability in governance.

He thanked the Speaker and members of the Assembly for
cooperating with the executive arm and consistently prioritising
executive bills aimed at delivering good governance.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore
Onigbanjo, said the two bills signed by the Governor made it 10th
legislation sponsored by the executive and passed by the House of
Assembly to strengthen good governance.

Twenty-six executive bills, he said, have been initiated since
the inception of the current administration.

He said: “The anti-corruption commission agency to be
established is akin to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) to prosecute misappropriation of public funds in the State.
The chairman of the agency will be appointed by Mr Governor,
subject to the ratification of the House of Assembly. If the
investigation leads to prima facie case, the offender will be
prosecuted in the court.”

Chairperson of the House Committee on Finance, Rotimi Olowo, and
his counterpart in Public Complaints and Judiciary, Victor Akande,
attended the event.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed a bill establishing an
anti-corruption commission in the state.

Mr Sanwo-Olu assented to the Public Complaints and
Anti-Corruption Commission Bill of 2021 at a brief ceremony held in
Alausa on Monday.

The legislation, sponsored by the executive arm of the
government, was signed into law days after it was passed by the
House of Assembly.

With the legislation coming into force, the anti-corruption
commission, which will be formally set up in the coming days by the
governor, is backed by the instrument of law to investigate and
prosecute officials of the state government and registered
contractors indicted for economic crimes and financial
misappropriation.

Also, Mr Sanwo-Olu assented to the Lagos State Lotteries and
Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, initiated by the executive arm to
coordinate activities of lotteries agencies operating within the
State.

After the signing of the two bills into law, Mr Sanwo-Olu said
the action was a testimony to the State Government’s effort towards
entrenching accountability in governance and checking malfeasance
among officers entrusted with public resources.

He said: “The bill establishing Public Complaints and
Anti-Corruption Commission is an important legislation critical to
the delivery of quality services to the citizens. When we came in,
we had said we would be accountable and responsible in the
appropriation of the State’s resources. We want to stand in front
of the citizens to give account on how public funds are being
spent.

“To give credence to this promise, the executive arm initiated
the bill and sent to the Assembly for approval. We believe that
this law would not only ensure accountability of public funds,
responsibility of public office, but also promote dialogue among
public officers to keep the trust of the people in the discharge of
their duties in line with transparency. The anti-corruption
commission will ensure that all approved activities are implemented
in accordance with budgetary allocation.”

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the anti-corruption commission would be
independent in its operations and functions, pointing out that the
agency would complement efforts of similar agencies in the police
and federal establishment.

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority Bill of 2021, the governor
disclosed, is to simplify and incorporate technological innovations
in the gaming sector.

The law sought to harmonise five gaming and lottery formats,
such as casino, jackpot, pool, lotto and sports betting, thereby
regulating the sector and checking fraudulent activities of
unregistered game centres within the State.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the former lottery law of the state did not
meet the contemporary needs in the industry, which was why the
executive initiated the bill to accommodate technology in
regulating the business.

“As a forward-looking government, we are doing the needful to
ensure fair play, regulation and monitoring is brought back into
the gaming industry. The law is not in any form to stifle
investment, but to offer better platform for lottery companies to
enhance equity, transparency and make their investment more
rewarding,” the Governor said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu reiterated that his government’s actions would
continue to be taken in a way that would boost the confidence of
the public and promote accountability in governance.

He thanked the Speaker and members of the Assembly for
cooperating with the executive arm and consistently prioritising
executive bills aimed at delivering good governance.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore
Onigbanjo, said the two bills signed by the Governor made it 10th
legislation sponsored by the executive and passed by the House of
Assembly to strengthen good governance.

Twenty-six executive bills, he said, have been initiated since
the inception of the current administration.

He said: “The anti-corruption commission agency to be
established is akin to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) to prosecute misappropriation of public funds in the State.
The chairman of the agency will be appointed by Mr Governor,
subject to the ratification of the House of Assembly. If the
investigation leads to prima facie case, the offender will be
prosecuted in the court.”

Chairperson of the House Committee on Finance, Rotimi Olowo, and
his counterpart in Public Complaints and Judiciary, Victor Akande,
attended the event.