The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, was impeached on Tuesday by 18 out of the 26 members of the legislative arm.

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The impeachment took place during a House sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Bolanle Ajayi, and was immediately followed by the appointment of Oludaisi Elemide, the lawmaker representing Odeda State Constituency, as the new Speaker.

Oluomo, representing Ifo State Constituency, faced allegations of gross misconduct, including highhandedness, lack of focus and transparency, financial misappropriation, and the pursuit of selfish interests. Addressing journalists, the new Speaker, Elemide, clarified that Governor Dapo Abiodun had no involvement in Oluomo’s removal.

“We are law-abiding legislators. We want the world to know that there has been a change in leadership. Eighteen members signed for me to be the Speaker. People should remain calm. We are in the custody of all the authority of the House. We are saying that the new leadership will support the governor. The governor does not know anything about this impeachment,” Elemide asserted.

Mr. Damilola Soneye (APC-Obafemi Owode), speaking to the press, highlighted that the Speaker’s office is expected to be first among equals and outlined the reasons for Oluomo’s impeachment, citing gross misconduct, high-handedness, lack of focus, transparency, arrogance, poor leadership style, financial misappropriation, and incitement of members against each other.

Oluomo was reportedly attending the swearing-in of customary court judges at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, a few meters away from the Assembly complex when the impeachment proceedings occurred. Efforts to obtain Oluomo’s response were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off, and inquiries via WhatsApp went unanswered.

Reports of shootings by security officers loyal to Oluomo surfaced during the impeachment, indicating resistance to the removal. The motion for Oluomo’s impeachment was moved by Adegoke Adeyanju Awoso (APC-Yewa North 1) and seconded by Mr. Ademola Adeniran, another APC lawmaker representing Sagamu Constituency II.

Oluomo is currently facing trial over alleged financial misappropriation involving N2 billion, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filing 11 counts against him and three other legislative staff in September 2022. The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, was present at the Assembly complex to ensure law and order during the impeachment proceedings.