Kosofe LG chairman denies N100m empowerment fraud allegation

The office of the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area in Lagos State, Moyosore Ogunlewe, has dismissed allegations surrounding the council’s N100 million empowerment programme, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the chairman, Olúwọlé Òbísànyà, the council said the allegations were part of a deliberate campaign to discredit the administration.

The statement specifically accused a political opponent, Salami Oluwaseun, of circulating what it described as a “mischievous blog publication” aimed at distracting the local government leadership.

According to the council, the publication falsely claimed that Gbenga Samuel David, councillor representing Anthony Ward, was being victimised over a sexual assault allegation after allegedly exposing irregularities in the N100 million empowerment scheme.

The chairman’s office insisted that the claims were baseless, maintaining that the empowerment programme was carried out transparently.

It explained that residents were invited to register at the council secretariat for about a week, after which beneficiaries were randomly selected from the pool of applicants in a process it said was properly documented and verifiable.

The statement added that the council maintains detailed records of beneficiaries, including names, phone numbers, Bank Verification Numbers, home addresses and valid identification.

Addressing a court injunction obtained by the councillor, the council said the order had nothing to do with any whistleblowing claims about the empowerment scheme.

Instead, it stated that the injunction was related to efforts by the legislative council to suspend the councillor over his alleged absence from sittings for nearly two months.

The council further claimed that the councillor’s absence began around the time he was invited to appear before a panel set up to address a sexual assault allegation against him.

It also noted that the allegation dates back to his tenure as Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs and had previously been brought before an earlier legislative council.

According to the statement, the petitioner, Idowu Charity, later approached the current legislative council, which invited the councillor for a hearing that he allegedly failed to attend.

The chairman’s office maintained that Ogunlewe remains focused on governance and development in the local government area, citing the N100 million “Kosofe Cares Renewed Hope Mega Empowerment” programme and ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of his administration’s performance.