Ekiti Assembly Suspends Pro-Olujimi Lawmaker, Ojo-Ade

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

In a manner confirming a serious crack in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, the assembly suspended the legislator representing Ekiti-East Constituency 1, Hon Fajana Ojo-Ade over alleged loyalty to Senator Biodun Olujimi.

The lawmaker was suspended for a period of 101 legislative days without pay, in the first instance, “except he shows signs of genuine remorse.”
Michael Adedeji, representing Ekiti southwest constituency II had been investigated and pardoned for similar offence.

Olujimi and Governor Ayodele Fayose have been engaging in cold war over the former’s governorship ambition, which didn’t receive the governor’s blessing.

While on suspension, he is also barred within one kilometre radius of the assembly complex and he must submit all properties of the assembly in his custody to the clerk.
Ojo-Ade chaired the committee that suspended Hon Gboyega Aribisogan last year October.
According to the chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Samuel Omotoso, the suspension came into force after the disciplinary committee set up by the Hon Speaker, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, to investigate Ojo-Ade submitted its report at plenary.
Omotoso said Ojo-Ade appeared twice at the sitting of the disciplinary committee in the last two weeks where he defended himself on allegations of gross misconduct, financial impropriety, failed attempt
at removing the Speaker, violence and physical attack on members of the assembly, as well as bringing the name of the assembly to serious disregard and disrepute.

Omotoso stated further that the committee, in its report, said that “whereas Hon Fajana Ojo-Ade, a member of the fifth Assembly representing Ekiti-East 1, having been found guilty of gross misconduct against the state assembly, hereby committed an offence by breaching its extant rules and standing orders.”

He said the House, at its plenary yesterday unanimously approved the recommendations of the disciplinary committee as follows: “1. That Hon Fajana Ojo-Ade is, hereby, suspended from the Ekiti State House of Assembly and all legislative duties for a period of 101 legislative days without pay, in the first instance, except there is a sign of genuine remorse.
“ That Hon Fajana Ojo-Ade should write a letter of apology through
the Speaker to the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
“That Hon Fajana Ojo-Ade is hereby barred within one kilometre radius of the assembly complex and must summit all the official properties in his care to the clerk of the House.”
Omotoso stated further that the assembly, as a product of the rule of law, would, at all times, frown at any form of inappropriate behaviour by any member, “in our attempt to preserve the sanctity and the integrity of the institution for posterity.”