By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Tensions ran high in Kosofe Local Government as allegations of corruption against Executive Chairman Moyosore Adedoyin Ogunlewe triggered heated exchanges between his aides and concerned residents. The controversy deepened following the detention of a whistleblower—who is also a cabinet member—at the Zone 2 Lagos Police Command.
The allegations, first reported by Sahara Reporters, are based on a petition filed by Ganiyu Olamiji Oyebanjo to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The petition accuses Ogunlewe of misappropriating N800 million in public funds, acquiring property with diverted money, and bribing a political rival with a Toyota Camry. Evidence reportedly includes WhatsApp conversations, voice recordings, and altered financial documents, alongside claims of political intimidation and governance lapses.
Political Clash Over Corruption Allegations
The revelations sparked a fierce debate between Ogunlewe’s critics and defenders.
Former SSA on Media to Kosofe Local Government, Giwa Diekola, called for accountability, citing infrastructure failures under Ogunlewe’s administration. He urged the chairman to respond directly to the corruption claims instead of attacking critics.
In contrast, Ogbeni Opa, an aide to the chairman, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing Diekola of being bitter after losing influence in the administration. He also branded the detained whistleblower a blackmailer, claiming the individual stole government documents for personal gain.
Diekola fired back, arguing that the focus should be on corruption and governance failures, rather than personal attacks. He maintained that the leaked documents should be investigated for authenticity, not dismissed outright.
What’s Next?
As the ICPC investigates the allegations, Kosofe residents remain divided—some demanding accountability, others defending Ogunlewe against what they see as political sabotage.
Meanwhile, the detention of the whistleblower has raised concerns about whistleblower protection in Nigeria, with activists questioning whether the arrest is an attempt to silence dissent.
With public scrutiny mounting, the outcome of the ICPC probe will determine whether the allegations are legitimate corruption claims or merely a high-stakes political battle within Kosofe Local Government.