The Legislative Council of Owo Local Government has reaffirmed the indefinite suspension of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Tope Omolayo, over alleged misconduct and abuse of office.
Recall that Omolayo was indefinitely suspended by the Councilors on October 15, 2025 by an overwhelming majority of the Councilors. However, following a new motion during the house plenary on Wednesday, the Councilors resolved on the reaffirmation of the suspension.
The resolution, signed by seven councillors during the sitting held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, also reaffirmed the appointment of Hon. Ibrahim Hammed as Acting Chairman pending the outcome of investigations into the allegations against Omolayo.
According to the document obtained, the lawmakers accused the suspended chairman of forcefully resuming office after his suspension, an action they claimed triggered violence at the council secretariat.
The council further alleged that Omolayo sponsored attacks on lawmakers through thugs while they were performing legislative duties at the legislative chamber.
Other allegations levelled against him included financial recklessness, diversion of internally generated revenue contrary to budgetary and statutory provisions, abuse of office, moral misconduct, and “unguarded utterances and disrespect to constituted authorities.”
The lawmakers resolved to formally request the Ondo State Governor to constitute a panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations and determine whether the offences amount to impeachable conduct.
Part of the resolution read, “The Legislative Council shall make a request to the Executive Governor of Ondo State to constitute a panel of inquiry to investigate all the allegations against Hon. Tope Omolayo to determine if the allegations are impeachable offences.”
The council also reaffirmed that the appointment of Hammed as Acting Chairman should subsist throughout the suspension period and during the pendency of investigations.
The lawmakers mandated the management staff of the council, led by the Head of Local Government Administration, to cooperate fully with the acting chairman in the running of the council’s affairs.
They further called on security agencies to enforce the suspension and compel Omolayo to submit all government properties in his possession pending the conclusion of investigations.
Among the councillors who signed the resolution were the Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Adedoyin Adeyefa; Deputy Leader, Hon. Adekanmi Aliru Adeyemi; Majority Leader, Hon. Owamoyo Jimoh Tolani; Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Afolabi Foluso; Chief Whip, Hon. Olumide Oguntolu.
Others are Councilor representing Ehinogbe Ward, Hon. Afolabi Ismaila and Councilor representing Ijebu 2 Ward, Hon. Agbede Olanike.
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