Ex-Ogun Council boss admits leasing govt land for 99 years at ridiculous amount

..... as OGHA summons HoR member, Isiaka 

By Peter Adedoyin 

The immediate past Chairman of Ewekoro local government area of Ogun State, Hon. Sikiru Adesina on Tuesday, admitted leasing government land to some politicians in the council area for 99 years, at a paltry amount.

Adesina, equally disclosed that among the beneficiaries of the illegal lease of the land and other council's property is a House of Representatives' member representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka.

The former Council Chairman, disclosed these, while appearing 

before the State Assembly's Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-corruption, to defend himself over allegations of fraudulent sales and lease of government lands and property, levelled against by the 'Concerned Citizens of Ewekoro LGA'.

The group had accused Adesina of engaging in unlawful sales of government land, neglect of public interest, failed accountability among others.

Speaking before the Committee, chaired by Hon. Bello Oluwadamilare, the former Council boss said all the government lands leased to the National Assembly member, Isiaka were done with the approval of the Finance and General Purpose Committee of Ewekoro local government, irrespective of wether such lease complied or not with the existing Ogun State Local Government laws. 

Adesina explained to the committee that the property in leased to Hon. Isiaka were done under three different applications, but originated from the same person. 

Adesina's defence before the committee was in sharp disagreement with that of the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), Mrs. Kemi Ogunyewo who informed the committee that the Council has record for four land leased to the federal lawmaker as against only one lease claimed by Adesina for the purpose of constructing a skill acquisition centre for youths in the local government.

The documents submitted by Ogunyewo before the committee also indicated that a two-plot of land leased on which a privately owned shopping complex is sitting has no record of paying rent for over seven years.

With the revelations, the Assembly's Committee has invited Hon. Isiaka to appear before it in respect to the government's properties allegedly leased to him in the council without following due process and adjourned its sitting till next week Tuesday 17th September, 2024.