The Lagos State House of Assembly has indefinitely suspended the Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon, over allegations of misconduct and defiance to legislative directives. The suspension, which took immediate effect, was announced during a plenary session held on Monday.
The Assembly also directed that the vice-chairman of the local council, Mr. Akinpelu Johnson, should take over as the acting head of the council to ensure smooth administration. In addition, the council management, including the manager and treasurer, has been instructed to recognize Johnson as the new leader and provide him with full cooperation in his duties.
The decision to suspend Sulaimon was taken unanimously by the lawmakers, following what they described as his refusal to comply with legislative orders. The motion for his suspension was introduced by Sanni Okanlawon, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs. Okanlawon explained that the House began investigating Sulaimon after a violent incident in April 2024, in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Alimosho, which resulted in the death of a resident, Mr. Michael Ajayi.
According to Okanlawon, the investigation revealed that Sulaimon had a hand in instigating the chaos that led to the fatality. Despite multiple invitations and requests for his cooperation during the probe, the council chairman repeatedly showed disregard for the House’s committee and failed to appear or offer any meaningful defense.
In addition to the misconduct allegations, Okanlawon highlighted Sulaimon’s failure to adhere to financial regulations and mismanagement of public funds. He cited the chairman’s blatant refusal to follow the Assembly’s directives as a key reason for the suspension, stating that such behavior was unacceptable from a public official.
“He should be suspended immediately while the vice-chairman, Akin Johnson, takes over with immediate effect,” Okanlawon urged the Assembly.
Several lawmakers supported the suspension, emphasizing the need for accountability among local government leaders. Majority Leader Noheem Adams, in his remarks, noted that Sulaimon’s dismissal would serve as a warning to other council chairmen across Lagos State, urging them to adhere to the rule of law and follow proper governance procedures.
“The Alimosho council chairman does not follow procurement processes or the budget. There has been a lot of misconduct from him and I support that the chairman be suspended indefinitely,” Adams stated.
Nureni Akinsanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts for Local Government, referenced a report from the State Auditor-General, which documented Sulaimon’s continuous violation of financial rules and various irregularities in the council’s records. Akinsanya, along with other lawmakers, expressed their support for Sulaimon’s immediate suspension.
Additionally, Sa’ad Olumoh called for the Assembly to summon Kolade Alabi and Rasak Ajala, the chairmen of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Odi-Olowo LCDA, respectively. Both are leaders of the Conference 57, a forum of local government chairmen, and were asked to explain the widespread disregard for governance protocols among council leaders.
The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the session, instructed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to notify all relevant authorities about the Assembly’s decision to suspend Sulaimon.
