A group, Concerned Citizens of Ewekoro Local Government, has petitioned the Economic Financial and Economic Crimes (EFCC) over alleged fraudulent leasing of land and property belonging the council by the immediate past chairman of local government, Sikiru Adesina.
The group in the petition signed by its Chairman, Aderibigbe Ajani Kolapo, accused Adesina of “fraudulently transferring” the local government land to some individuals suspected to be his family members and political allies.
Recalls that Adesina who served as the chairman of Ewekoro Local Government between 2021 and 2024, had earlier been summoned by the Ogun State House of Assembly, over the matter, following a similar petition written by the group.
Adesina, who admitted that his administration leased some acres of land belonging to the council to some politicians for 99 years, named an incumbent House of Reps member as the main beneficiary.
He, however, told the Assembly’s Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption led by Bello Oluwadamilare, that he followed the due process in the lease agreement.
The former LG boss further defended his action that all the land his administration leased to the NASS member was done with the approval of the Finance and General Purpose Committee (FIGPC) of the Ewekoro LGA.
But the group in the petition addressed to the Lagos Zonal Command of the anti-graft agency and dated September 23, a copy made available by our correspondent, on Monday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, asked the EFCC to investigate Adesina for alleged fraudulent leasing of the Ewekoro LG’s land measuring
1482.676 square meters and worth N1.5b, without following the due process.
According to the petition, the former LG chairman used his office “to illegally transfer the local government’s large expanse of land to his family members and political allies.
The group stated further that one of the antics used to carry out the fraudulent act was to request a land lease from the local government under the watch of Adesina by a hotel known to be owned by a member of the House of Representatives.
It added that the illegal leasing and systematic procurement, which was also done in favour of some other persons believed to be members of the immediate and extended family of the immediate past chairman, had the backing of a renowned monarch in Ewekoro Local Government Area.
The petition reads in part: “Having requested, the Chairman through a document which reads, ‘I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 18t July 2022 on the above subject and to inform you that after necessary deliberation on your request in respect of the land lying and situate at Heritage Community/Camp Itori, along. Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, measuring about 1482.676 SQUARE METERS. Therefore the Management of this Local Government at its Finance & General Purposes Committee (F&GPC) meeting of 19th July 2022 has approved your request upon the following conditions.
‘That you are to pay a sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Nara (N750, 000.00) only to the coffers of the Local Government;
‘That the amount should serve as premium; that the lease period shall be for Ninety-Nine (99) years;
“That you are to pay a Ground Rent of Twenty-Five Thousand Naira (N25,000.00) per Annum with an upfront payment of 10 years to the tune of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000.00), for the period of the lease which shall be payable on 2nd January of every year; That no part of the land shall be re-assigned or sub-leased without recourse to the Local Government’.
“Aside from a member of the House of Representatives, other individuals through the means have also enriched themselves with our collective property through a related process.
Going by the aforementioned, the property involved is worth over N1.5 billion.
“The Ogun State House of Assembly is aware and has commenced investigations into the matter but informing you of the development will not be a bad idea. If this is allowed to pass unchecked, it will set another precedent for great corruption, perversion of justice, and conversion of public property for private gains by the enemies of our nation.
I appeal to you and your esteemed office, as a matter of urgency, to commence an investigation into this matter and ensure that justice is served”.
