The Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, has been accused of grave misconduct, and the Oyo state House of Assembly has today instructed the Chief Judge of Oyo state to appoint a panel of seven people to investigate the allegations levelled against him.
This was made known via a motion jointly sponsored on Wednesday during plenary by the majority leader, Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo, and Hon. Akintunde Olajide.
The panel was instructed by the House to submit its report within three months of being constituted.
In the petition, the 23members accused the Deputy Governor of Gross Misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and insubordination.
The House thereafter served the Deputy Governor and all other members of the Legislature a copy of the allegations.
While reading the motion, the Majority Leader noted that up till now the Deputy Governor had not responded to the copy of the allegations served him by the House.
The motion read ” With this development, the House need to invoke the provision specified in Section 188(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
” In accordance with the provision of section 188(4) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to request the Chief Judge of Oyo State to appoint panel of 7persons of unquestionable integrity to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr Rauf Olaniyan; and the panel to report its findings to the House within 3months of its appointment. “
The Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said the issue was no more in the House as it has been handed over to the State Chief Judge, Justice Muntar Abimbola.
“We have no say whether the State Deputy Governor is guilty or not. The issue will be determined by the 7member to be constituted by the Chief Judge.
We are only working in line with the constitution. Once the report is submitted within or at the expiration of the 3months that’s what we are going to act upon. We are not in a position to judge in this case. We will ensure due process is followed. The vote was unanimous and we shall wait for the outcome of the report and investigation of the panel. ” Oyo Speaker
The House has adjourned till the 19th of July, 2022.