By Lukman Olabiyi
The chairman of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State, Hon. John Campos Ogundare, has been cleared of allegations of misappropriating N1.9 billion , the council’s 2023 budget, following investigations by the Lagos State House of Assembly and the State Audit Service Commission.
The allegations were brought forward in April 2024 by a group identified as the Concerned Residents of Eti-Osa East LCDA.
In a petition titled “Call for Suspension of the Chairman of Eti-Osa East LCDA over Allegations of Misappropriation of N1.9 Billion from the 2023 Budget,” the group accused Ogundare of financial misconduct, including non-compliance with budgetary provisions, unauthorized contracts, and refusal to provide expenditure records.
Speaking at the time of the petition’s submission to the Assembly, the group’s coordinator, Segun Williams, alleged that several council departments were denied running costs, former political office holders were left unpaid, and school and healthcare projects outlined in the budget were either ignored or carried out without legislative approval.
In response, supporters of the chairman, including local leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), organized a counter-protest at the Assembly complex, defending Ogundare’s administration and denying the claims.
It has now been confirmed that both the Lagos State House of Assembly and the State Audit Service Commission found no evidence to support the allegations.
According to insiders, a double audit of the council’s 2023 finances revealed that its total revenue from federal, state allocations and internally generated sources amounted to N1.4 billion, significantly less than the N1.9 billion in question.
“This critical discovery invalidated the petitioners’ claims. The figures show clearly that the council could not have misappropriated funds that were never received,” a source disclosed
Furthermore, the council’s legislative arm distanced itself from the allegations.
In a formal communication to Chairman Ogundare, the councillors clarified that they had only sought explanations regarding the 2023 budget and had not, at any time, accused him of misappropriation.
They condemned the misrepresentation of their actions, describing it as an attempt to malign the council’s leadership.