The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday said it had served Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi a notice of impeachment based on seven counts of alleged gross misconduct in office.
Presided over by Speaker Jumoke Akindele, the assembly claimed that Mr. Olanusi committed offenses that contravene section 188 (2) of the 1991 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The clerk of the state assembly, Bode Akinyelu, read the seven-count charges allegedly committed by the deputy governor at a poorly attended plenary session.
"Pursuant to the provision of section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, We the undersigned members for the Ondo State House of Assembly pursuant to our enabling powers under section 188 (2) of the 1991 constitution of the present to the Speaker the following allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi.”
The majority leader of the Assembly, Ifedayo Olugbenga Akinsoyinu, representing Ondo West Constituency II, moved the motion for impeachment and was seconded by Adeyinka Banso representing Akoko North West constituency I.
Saharareporters exclusively got copies of the seven allegations of gross misconduct against Mr. Olanusi, including names of the lawmakers that signed the impeachment notice.
However, two lawmakers,Fola Olasehinde and Gbenga Edema, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were absent at the session.
Below are the alleged offenses leveled against Mr. Olansui and obtained by SaharaReporters.
1. “That Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor, permitted and condoned the perpetration of fraudulent activities in the office of the Deputy Governor in that Alhaji Bola Idris Olanusi, the younger brother and Special Assistant in the office of the Deputy Governor procured false LPO’s with the knowledge of Alhaji Ali Olanusi and obtained from one EHISO RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, two (02) Trucks of AGO with forged documents and for personal benefits, thereby putting the office of the Deputy Governor into Disrepute
2. “That Alhaji Ali Olanusi being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor of Ondo state and having full knowledge that his younger brother, Alhaji Bola Idris Olanusi, who at all material time was his personal staff had engaged in activities unbecoming of officials of Government refused to sanction, query or discipline the said staff, thus, bringing the office of the Deputy Governor into disrepute”
3. “That Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor of Ondo State engaged in Press Release and interview with various media outlets especially at pages 50 and 51 of the Saturday Punch of April 18, 2015 publication wherein false allegations were leveled against the Governor who was falsely portrayed as
(i) A person who instigated the carting away of Ballot Boxes.
(ii) A person who instigated the killing of people in Ondo state.
(iii) A person who disrespects the Judiciary.
(iv) A person who worked against the interest of the President.
(v) A person who bribed the electorate.
When the said Alhaji Ali Olanusi was at all materials times, the Deputy Governor in the same Government, an act which amounts to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
4. “That Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor of Ondo State, engaged in Absenteeism and truancy by regularly absenting himself from office, place of work and ll other official engagements especially on 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th of April and Monday, 20th of April , 2015 without lawful excuses or authorization but generally acting in a manner inconsistent with the dictates and expectations of the high office of the Deputy Governor of a State, thus, undermining the governance process, an act which amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
5. “That Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor on or about Wednesday 15th April 2015 caused his security aides to shoot indiscriminately at peaceful protesters along Fiwasaiye/Oba Adesida Road in Akure thus creating panic, breakdown of law and order, and general sense of insecurity within the State under pretext that the said protesters disrupted his convoy, an act unbecoming of holder of high office of the Deputy Governor.
6. “That Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor at various dates collected various sums of money for the purpose of traveling and medical bill as follows: 2009 (N8, 175, 410), 2010 (N8, 952, 600), 2013 (N10, 833, 200) and 2014 (N11, 328, 100) when in actual fact, the said Alhaji Ali Olanusi did not travel on the said specified dates or did not travel at all and, or did not expand the approved medical bills as appropriate, thereby unlawfully enriching himself and/causing loss to the State Government.
7. “That Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office of Deputy Governor engaged in political conduct designed to undermine the office of the Governor by ensuring political disaffection and deliberate working at cross purpose with the Governor and the Executive Council of the State with a view to destabilizing the State government by openly canvassing for the impeachment of the Governor following the Presidential Election conducted on 28th of March, 2015 which amounts to an act of gross misconduct under the provisions of the Constitution”, the accusation read.
Speaking after the sitting, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Kunle Olujuyigbe said the allegations leveled against the Deputy Governor is yet to be substantiated and would be given opportunity to defend himself.
“The allegation is not substantiated yet. It is for him (Ali Olanusi) to defend himself. The Deputy Governor would still be giving opportunity to defend himself”, Olujuyigbe said.
But, the Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi has reacted to the noticed of impeachment saying he was yet to served any noticed officially adding that he would fully reacts to the any allegation against him when he is lawfully informed.
"I am yet to be officially informed about this development. The Ondo State House of Assembly is note and familiar with making Laws and passing resolutions without sitting or recording. There are many repetitive events in this regard.
“A case in hand was the passage of the OSOPADEC budget last year 2014. You will get my full reaction if and whenever I'm officially and lawfully informed", Ali said in terse sent to Journalists.
The House of Assembly has adjourned their sitting till today Wednesday by 10 AM.
