29/10/2025
THE PETITION AGAINST HON. MONSURU OLOYEDE BELLO, FORMER CHAIRMAN, EJIGBO LCDA
By: Prince Olatoke Tajudeen Ademola
October 29, 2025.
1. Introduction
My attention has been drawn to a publication alleging fraud and financial misconduct against Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello, the immediate past Executive Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State. The said petition, purportedly submitted to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) by a group styling itself as Concerned Citizens of Ejigbo, makes weighty claims that deserve factual, constitutional, and procedural clarification.
While I acknowledge the constitutional right of citizens to petition anti-corruption agencies under Sections 6 and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), such rights must be exercised responsibly — guided by truth, documentary evidence, and due process — not by political vendetta, bitterness, or selfish ambition.
It is not coincidental that this petition surfaced shortly after the outcome of the Local Government Election which did not favour the petitioners’ camp, and at a time when Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello (Obe) has begun receiving overwhelming public encouragement to contest for the House of Representatives seat (Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II) in 2027.
Their sudden desperation to tarnish his name stems from envy of his rising popularity and unblemished record in office. Those who benefitted most during his administration are now leading the charge to destroy his image — forgetting the roads he built, the youths he empowered, and the peace he sustained across Ejigbo LCDA.
Let it be clearly stated: the supremacy of our great party (APC) remains above any individual’s selfish interest. Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello is a loyal party man whose political ambition flows from service and popular demand, not from desperation. His growing acceptance among the electorate has become a threat to those who once misused opportunities to serve.
Therefore, the ICPC is urged to perform its duty objectively and to shine its investigative torchlight not only on the baseless allegations, but also on the motives and identities of the so-called group hiding under falsehood to score political points.
2. Legal and Constitutional Framework for Local Government Financial Management
Under Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), local government councils are recognised as the third tier of government with administrative and fiscal autonomy, subject to supervision by the State Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments (OAuLG).
The Lagos State Local Government Administration Law, 2013 (as amended), alongside the Financial Memoranda for Local Governments, prescribes the operational and financial procedures for all 57 LGAs/LCDAs in Lagos State. These include:
Procurement and expenditure regulations;
Contract award and certification procedures;
Audit and reporting obligations; and
Legislative oversight by the State House of Assembly.
Given this statutory structure, it is legally impossible for any council chairman to divert or expend public funds outside these stringent checks and balances.
3. Due Process and Oversight Mechanisms:
All major contracts and capital projects executed under Hon. Bello’s administration — including the construction of Falana Road Phases 1 & 2, Sheikh Niyass Street, Jubril Olabisi Street, and others — followed the standard Lagos State local government procedure:
1. Project Initiation and Approval
Projects originated from community needs assessments, processed by the Works Department, and approved by the Executive Committee and Finance & General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) of the Council.
2. Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and Technical Evaluation:
Qualified engineers prepared BoQs vetted and certified in accordance with Lagos State Public Procurement guidelines.
3. Tender and Award Process:
Contracts were awarded through open competitive tender supervised by the Tenders Board constituted under Chapter 9 of the Financial Memoranda.
4. Audit and Accountability:
Ejigbo LCDA submitted its annual financial statements to the Office of the Auditor-General for Local Governments and was duly included in the 2023 Consolidated Audited Financial Report of Lagos State, which reflects transparency and fiscal compliance.
5. Legislative Oversight”
The Public Accounts (Local) Committee of the Lagos State House of Assembly reviews audit reports for all 57 councils — Ejigbo inclusive — ensuring that any anomaly is formally addressed.
4. On the Allegations of Diversion and Inflation:
The claims of contract inflation and project abandonment are baseless and inconsistent with records.
All project payments were made through official banking channels upon certification of completion by the Works Department, endorsed by the Treasurer and Internal Auditor.
Every contract was supported by valuation reports, approval documents, and certificates of completion.
The petitioners’ figures are grossly inflated and contradict official financial statements available in Ejigbo LCDA and the Auditor-General’s archives.
The allegation of awarding contracts to “associates” is mere hearsay — a politically motivated attempt to malign an administration whose record of community-driven governance is verifiable and exemplary.
5. On Presentation of Financial Reports
Section 103(1) of the Lagos State Local Government Administration Law mandates monthly financial reporting to the legislative arm.
Hon. Bello’s administration consistently complied with this requirement. The Funds Management Committee was functional, and all reports were duly presented to the legislative arm during his tenure.
6. Transparency and Public Accountability:
Hon. Bello’s administration demonstrated:
(i) transparency by complying with the Lagos State Fiscal Responsibility Law;
(ii) holding periodic town hall meetings with Community Development Associations (CDAs);
(iii) submitting annual financial statements to the Auditor-General; and
(iv) ensuring that no official audit query or indictment was ever issued against his administration.
7. Conclusion
The petition before the ICPC, though within citizens’ rights, is politically motivated, factually hollow, and procedurally defective. Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello’s administration adhered to the rule of law, due process, and transparent governance.
The sudden resurgence of unfounded allegations after the local government election — and precisely when the people of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II are calling on him to represent them in the House of Representatives in 2027 — exposes the smear campaign as nothing but envy and fear of a credible contender.
I therefore call upon the ICPC to do their work throughly. I believe that objective review will vindicate Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello toand confirm that his stewardship was marked by service, transparency, and community development.
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