Thugs invade Ogun council secretariat as councillors attempt to inpeach council Chairman, injure two lawmakers

premiumtimesng.comThe councillors allegedly planned to impeach the council chairman Suspected political thugs on Wednesday caused pandemonium in the secretariat of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State resulting in damage to property.

Two council lawmakers also sustained injuries during the attack.

The thugs, allegedly hired by Lanre Edun, the local government chairman, stormed the council to disrupt the session of the legislative arm based on alleged rumours that the councillors planned to impeach the chairman.

The lawmakers had invited journalists to come into their chamber to witness the day’s proceeding, a move resisted by lawmakers loyal to Mr. Edun. The development led to verbal exchange among lawmakers, which worsened into fisticuffs.

While that occurred, the thugs emerged from their hideout within the secretariat and pounced on the councillors opposed to the council boss. The thugs chased out the lawmakers believed to be opposed to Mr. Edun. One of the councillors, Olayinka Adegun, was hit with a stone while the windscreen of his Toyota Camry was smashed.

The lawmaker’s father, Lekan Adegun, who was around the secretariat at the time, also had the side window of his Toyota Siena car smashed while rescuing the Chief Whip, Sunday Akamo, from the scene. Speaking with journalists, the Deputy Leader of the legislative arm of the council, Afeez Shopeyin, denied any plan to impeach the chairman, but explained that they wanted to stop the council chairman from arresting commercial motorcyclists, okada riders, indiscriminately; since there was no law to back such action.

He disclosed that Okada riders had protested and accused councillors of passing a law allowing the arrest.

He alleged that the council boss forged a bill impersonating the Chief Whip as the sponsor; and signed same into law.

The lawmaker also accused the chairman of using people he personally engaged to collect the fines from the okada riders; issuing fake receipts and diverting the fund to his personal account. However, the chairman, in his response, denied knowledge of the invasion by the thugs and attack on the councillors.

Mr. Edun said the crisis among the councillors would be resolved. He also denied the allegations about forging a law against okada riders or extorting them.