Lagos Mirror Magazine:
A major political rift has erupted in Kosofe Local Government, Lagos, as the council chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe, and Councillor Gbenga Samuel David exchange serious accusations involving an alleged ₦100 million empowerment fund scandal and claims of sexual assault.
Chairman Ogunlewe has strongly rejected claims that his administration mishandled a ₦100 million empowerment programme. He described the allegation by the councillor as misleading and politically motivated, insisting that the programme was conducted transparently with full documentation.
According to him, residents were given a one-week window to register for the empowerment initiative at the council secretariat. Beneficiaries were later selected randomly from the compiled list of applicants.
Ogunlewe maintained that the council kept comprehensive records of beneficiaries, including names, phone numbers, Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), residential addresses, and valid identification documents.
“Our records are available for verification, and the process was open and accountable,” the chairman said while defending the integrity of the programme.
The chairman also alleged that the corruption accusation was a tactic by the councillor to distract the public from a sexual assault petition reportedly filed against him.
Council sources revealed that the petition was initially submitted by Miss Idowu Charity during David’s earlier tenure as Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs. Although the matter was reportedly addressed by a previous legislative council, the petitioner later resubmitted the complaint to the current council for fresh consideration.
Ogunlewe further stated that the councillor had been absent from legislative sittings for nearly two months, coinciding with the period he was invited to appear before a panel investigating the petition.
He emphasized that the executive arm of the council has no authority to suspend a councillor, clarifying that such powers rest solely with the Legislative Council.
Councillor David has denied the sexual harassment allegation, describing it as a fabricated attempt to damage his reputation and silence his complaints about financial irregularities within the local government.
He argued that the petition, dated December 19, 2025, surfaced shortly after he submitted a misconduct complaint to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Meanwhile, a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Sule-Amzat has issued an interim injunction preventing the councillor’s suspension, expulsion, or any disciplinary action until the substantive case is determined.
The court also restrained the Nigeria Police Force from arresting or detaining David over the sexual harassment petition, noting that the matter is already under investigation by the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Ikoyi.
Justice Sule-Amzat further directed all parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the court’s ruling.
The unfolding dispute has heightened political tension within Kosofe Local Government, with observers closely monitoring the legal proceedings and political developments that could influence the council’s leadership and stability in the coming weeks.
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