Lagos Assembly leaves no stone unturned over Ambode’s invitation, spends N3m on advertised invitation

Akinwunmi Ambode: desperately wanted by Lagos House of Assembly

6The Lagos State House of Assembly desperately wants former governor of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to appear before its committee probing some financial transactions during his tenure.

The assembly took a novel step to reach Ambode by advertising a fresh summon in newspapers. It must be the most expensive invitation ever, costing no less than N3million.

The Assembly wants Ambode to appear before it on Wednesday by 1pm.

The legislature, in the summons wants the ex-Governor to appear before the Committee of the House to say all he knows about some financial transactions during his tenure between May 29, 2015 and May 29, this year.

The publicized invite entitled: “Notice of summons: Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (the former Governor of Lagos State), is signed by the Clerk of the House, Mr. A. A. Sanni.

It reminds Ambode of the importance of appearing before the Committee to shed light on five-alleged infractions raised by the Assembly.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly, pursuant to Section 129 (1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) hereby summons His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the former Governor of Lagos State (May, 2015 – May, 2019) to appear before the Committee of the House on Wednesday, 30th October, 2019 at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja by 1.00 p.m.”

He will be asked to clarify the following:

*Unauthorised discounting of Promissory Note;

*Purchase of 820 Buses by your administration without due authorisation;

*Misappropriation of Special Expenditure Funds;

*Improper implementation of the Appropriation Law; and

*Non-adherence to the Financial Regulations of the State.

The notice urges the former governor to provide the Committee with documents to justify that the transactions did not violate constitutional provisions.

“You are kindly requested to furnish the Committee with fifteen (15) copies each of all relevant document(s) relating to the issues raised through the Office of the Clerk of the House on or before Tuesday, 29th October, 2019.

“It is pertinent to state that your presence at the proposed meeting would give you the opportunity to shed light on issues that are material to the investigation.”

The governor had shunned an earlier summons by the Assembly on October 15, 2019.