The Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, Damilare Bello, has clarified that the invitation extended to the former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abdul-Waheed Odusile, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Emmanuel Ojo, was not an indictment.
He said that the summons was to seek clarifications on the audit report of the Ministry.
Bello addressed the media on Wednesday to address the misconceptions arising from the committee’s Monday sitting.
He explained that media reports suggesting the alleged involvement of Odusile and Ojo in fraudulent activities were inaccurate.
The committee, he claimed, has not indicted anyone but has called for clarification in line with its constitutional responsibilities.
The Chairman said that the House has no intention of witch-hunting anyone but is committed to ensuring the prudent management of government resources by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
Bello urged the public to disregard rumours and reiterated the Assembly’s focus on promoting accountability and transparency in the governance of the state.
News About Nigeria reported that the Committee had summoned Odusile, former Permanent Secretary Abiodun Awere, and the Director of Finance and Accounts Andrew Odukoya over alleged financial infractions detected during the audit exercise.
The infractions were related to the release of N92.9 million from the Governor’s contingency fund to the Ministry and the transfer of N2,515,590.00 to the personal accounts of Mr. Ojo Emmanuel for the purchase of working tools for the OGSG New Media Team, a move considered a breach of due process.
