The Pyrates Confraternity in a statement said the lawmakers were elected to serve people's interest, noting that suspending plenary is a breach of trust.
The National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, has condemned the Ogun State House of Assembly for suspending plenary over the trial of the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, for N2.5 billion financial fraud.
SaharaReporters had reported that the lawmaker was arrested last Thursday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He was picked up by officials of the EFCC to answer questions bordering on alleged financial crimes.
In January 2022, EFCC invited Oluomo for questioning over alleged financial misappropriation, forgery and money laundering.
SaharaReporters reported that the EFCC had earlier in a letter dated December 9, 2021, with a reference No: CR:3000/EFCC/LS/CMU/OG1/VOL.3/165, asked Oluomo to report to its Lagos office but the Speaker claimed he was working "on the 2022 budget presented by Governor Dapo Abiodun.”
The lawmakers suspended the plenary as a form of protest against the arrest of the Speaker.
Reacting to the suspension of plenary, the Ash Montana Deck of the Pyrates Confraternity in a statement said the lawmakers were elected to serve people's interest, noting that suspending plenary is a breach of trust.
“As an organisation monitoring and promoting good governance and the development of democracy, we are dismayed by the news that the state’s legislature is shut down over the arrest of the Speaker by a legitimate agency of government whereas the constitution is clear about what should be done in the absence of the principal officer when there exists a Deputy Speaker.
“We view this as a breach of the social contract and warrant disrespect to the people of the various constituencies who repose legislative trust in the lawmakers. Suspending legislative activities over allegations of corruption against a member of the House is corruptible solidarity without circumspection and an expression of disdain and disrespect to the structure of government and the good people of Ogun State,” the seadog said.
The association urged the state assembly to not only resume sitting immediately but also tender an apology to the people of the state.