Alhaji Alli Olanusi: impeachment move launched by Ondo House of Assembly

Ondo lawmakers have begun impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor, Ali Olanusi.

Twenty of the 25 lawmakers, citing ‘gross misconduct, corruption and truancy contrary to the law of the land’, today directed the Clerk of the Assembly to serve Olanusi impeachment notice.

Olanusi’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress, instead of following Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was responsible for the move, analysts believed.

Both officials were twice elected on the platform of the Labour Party.

At a session presided over by Speaker, Jumoke Akindele, Majority Leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, said their action was based on Section 188 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (As amended).

Akinsoyinu’s motion was seconded by Banso Adeyinka.

Seven allegations were levelled against Olanusi. Here are the particulars of the charge as read by Akinsoyinu:

“Alhaji Ali Olanusi, being the holder of the office of the Deputy Governor, permitted and condoned the perpetration of fraudulent activities in the office of the Deputy Governor in that Alhaji Bola Idris Olanusi, the younger brother and Special Assistant in the office of Deputy Governor procured false LPO’s with the knowledge of Alhaji Ali Olanusi and obtained EHISO Resources International Limited two trucks of AGO with forged documents and for personal benefits, thereby putting the office of the Deputy Governor into disrepute.

“The deputy governor also disparaged the office of the governor by alleging that the governor carted away ballot boxes, instigated the killing of people of the state, disrespected the judiciary, worked against the interest of the President and he bribed the electorate”. Olanusi was also accused of engaging in absenteesim and truancy “by regularly absenting himself from office, place of work and other official engagements without lawful excuse or authorisation but generally acting in a manner inconsistent with the dictates and expectations of the high office of the deputy governor of a state, thus, undermining the governance process, an act which amount to gross misconduct under the constitution. “Deliberately, he allowed his security aides to shoot indiscriminately peaceful protesters along Fiwasaye/Oba Adesida Road in Akure, thus creating panic, breakdown of law and order, and general sense of insecurity within the state under the pretence that the said protesters disrupted his convoy, an act unbecoming of the holder of the office of the deputy governor.

“The deputy governor also collected various sums of money including N8.1 million, N8.9 million, N10.8 million and N11.3 million for the purpose of traveling for medical purposes and refused to use the fund for the purpose meant for. “The deputy governor engaged in political misconduct by working at cross purposes with the governor and, thereby, wants to destabilise the government by openly canvassing the impeachment of the governor”.

The Speaker, Jumoke Akindele, presided at the session.

Olanusi,who is said to have travelled abroad for medicare, is to be served the impeachment notice through his official residence, office or the media.

But in a reaction, the Ondo state APC described the move a nullity.

“We are aware of the purported impeachment notice served on the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, by the Ondo State House of Assembly. The Deputy Governor had written to the Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on Friday 17th of April, 2015, with Ref. No. OBG/A/136/67, that he will be going on routine medical check up out side the country.

“Baba had since travelled out on Saturday 18th of April, 2015. So it is laughable for the rubber-stamp House of Assembly to have claimed it has served the Deputy Governor an impeachment notice. Knowing fully well that, the law does not permits to serve impeachment notice in absentia, ” said Abayomi Adesanya, the state APC publicity secretary.