Lawmakers in Oyo State have advised the sacked chairmen of the 33 local government councils and 35 local council development areas in the state to return all government properties in their possession to their respective councils.
This was following a matter of urgent public importance brought before House by the Majority Leader, Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South), on Thursday.
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan, on Wednesday, ruled in favour of the Oyo State Government that the sacked chairmen failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
The House noted that the call became necessary in order to ensure accountability and continuity of governance in all the council areas in the state.
They urged the Commissioner of Police, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, and other security agencies in the state to intervene by ensuring that all government properties allegedly taken away by the ALGON chairmen are returned to the various councils.
The House advised all the transition committee chairmen to take inventory of missing properties in their various councils and forward the details to them.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, while ruling on the motion, said the properties, especially vehicles allegedly taken away by the sacked chairmen are government properties which were not acquired by them legally.
“If it was on record that those properties were acquired through auction or other legal means then the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly will not intervene and will not question such action. However, the properties were not rightfully acquired by the said chairmen.
They can’t continue to keep government properties in their possession. That could amount to theft of government properties.”
Abidoye Bamigboye (Oriire) and Isiaka Tunde (Oyo East and Oyo West), urged the House not to rule on the motion as the sacked chairmen had promised to head to the Supreme Court.
The Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Fadeyi, Francis Adetunji representing Oluyole; Olusola Owolabi (Ib North East2) and Adeola Bamidele (Iseyin/Itesiwaju), countered the observation and urged the House to rule on the motion by directing the sacked chairmen to return all government properties in their possession without further delay.
