By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Member of Lagos State Audit Board Commission Hon, Musilu Alade Aigoro is set to lose his job as the Lagos State House of Assembly has ordered the withdrawal of letters given to government appointees whose nominations should have been sent to the House for their screening and confirmation but who took up the jobs without due process. The decision was made during a sitting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
The Assembly also ordered the immediate halt of salaries and remunerations enjoyed by the affected government appointees pending their appearances before the House. Furthermore, the Assembly summoned three top officials over the issue.
Those summoned include the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Accountant-General of the State, Dr. Abiodun Muritala, and the state’s Commissioner for Establishment, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle.
The Lagos State House of Assembly raised an issue of concern on the increasing situation where supposed nominees of the governor continue to work without being screened and confirmed by the House.
Speaker Mudashiru Obasa agreed with the lawmakers that such appointments without recourse to the House amounted to infractions.
Hon. Noheem Adams, Deputy Majority Leader brought a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ before the House, citing relevant sections of the law that give backing to the House of Assembly in respect of nominations by the governor for appointments.
He observed that some appointments to boards and other agencies were not brought before the House and that the principle of separation of powers would be in jeopardy if it persists.
Hon. Rotimi Olowo noted the difference between nomination and appointment and lamented that a lot of people were parading themselves with many names without appearing before the House for clearance. He said it was an infraction to have people who are not cleared by the House receiving salaries, and such money should be returned to the coffers.
Hon. Desmond Elliot called on the House to act in a way to curtail any future occurrence while Hon. Femi Saheed suggested that anyone acting outside the stipulated time must have recourse to the House, in line with the constitution. He further suggested that the Head of Service be made to appear before the House to clear himself over the issue.
Hon. Musilu Alade Aigoro’s appointment is said to be unconnected with the alleged anti-party activities he and others were involved in during the just-concluded Governorship and House of Assembly polls.
Hon. Aigoro was reported to have replaced Kosofe Federal Constituency House of Representatives elect, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara on the board, but he did not go through screening and approval by the House, just like his predecessors Hon. Abiodun Akhigbe and Ogbara.
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