ABEOKUTA – In a landmark decision aimed at fostering unity and correcting what lawmakers described as an unsupported allegation, the Ogun State House of Assembly has formally exonerated its former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Taiwo Oluomo, of allegations of embezzlement of funds and commuted his January 2024 removal from office to a resignation.
The resolution was adopted during plenary following the presentation of the report of the Committee of the Whole House by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi.
The development stemmed from a motion filed by the former Speaker on March 31, 2026, requesting the Assembly to review the circumstances surrounding his removal and clear his name of allegations relating to financial misconduct.
Presenting the report, the Deputy Speaker explained that the House carefully examined the issues raised in the motion and the records surrounding Oluomo’s removal from office on January 23, 2024.
According to the report, lawmakers observed that the allegation of embezzlement of funds was not included among the grounds contained in the notice of removal served on the former Speaker before his ouster.
The report stated that the allegation could therefore not be legally established against him based on the facts available to the House.
“The House observed that the issue of embezzlement of funds was not part of the notice of removal served on him and cannot be established against him,” the report noted.
Lawmakers further acknowledged Oluomo’s plea contained in paragraph four of his motion, where he urged the Assembly either to formally clear him of the allegation or provide evidence and particulars supporting the claim, in accordance with the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the right to fair hearing.
Following a review of the evidence before it, the Assembly concluded that there was no basis for sustaining the allegation.
“Having reviewed the evidence provided, this honourable House consequently withdraws the allegation of embezzlement as part of the reasons for his removal from office,” the report declared.
In a move described by members as one intended to promote reconciliation, mutual respect and institutional harmony, the House went further to reverse its earlier decision removing Oluomo from office.
The Assembly resolved that, rather than being recorded as an impeachment or removal, Oluomo’s exit from the position of Speaker should henceforth be regarded as a resignation.
“Furthermore, in the spirit of camaraderie, oneness and unity, this honourable House resolves and overturns the said removal of Rt. Hon. Oluomo, Olakunle Taiwo, from office and commutes the same into a resignation,” the report concluded.
The motion for the adoption of the report was moved by Deputy Speaker Ajayi and seconded by Hon. Yusuf Amosun. It subsequently received unanimous support from members through a voice vote.
The decision marks a significant chapter in the history of the Ogun State legislature, bringing closure to a political episode that generated considerable public interest within and outside the state.
Political observers believe the Assembly’s action may help strengthen internal cohesion among lawmakers while restoring the public image of the former Speaker, who represented Ifo State Constituency I and served as Speaker of the 10th Ogun State House of Assembly before his removal in January 2024.
With the latest resolution, the Assembly has effectively erased allegations of financial impropriety from the official record relating to Oluomo’s departure from office, replacing his removal status with a resignation and bringing a formal end to the controversy.
