EFCC Petition: Ondo Speaker, Deputy and Clerk Accused of Forging Lawmakers’ Signatures to Approve N70bn Budget
By: Abudu Olalekan
A civil society group, Ondo State concerned youth for good governance, has complained to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that the leadership of the Ondo State House of Assembly allegedly forged lawmakers’ signatures to approve a N70 billion budget adjustment.
The complaint was signed by Abel Kosoko, Esq., on behalf of the group and addressed to the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC, Ado-Ekiti Zonal Directorate.
According to the petition obtained by Reportersroom, the Speaker of the House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Olamide Adesanmi Oladiji, Deputy Speaker Hon. Gbegudu Ololade, and the Clerk of the House, Jayeola B.T. Esq., allegedly conspired together on December 11, 2025, to forge the signatures of other lawmakers.
Their reason was to approve the amended N70 billion budget of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
The resolution with reference number ODHA/98/253/271 titled “Request for House of Assembly Resolution to amend and re-direct certain line items in the 2025 approved OSOPADEC Budget.”
However, the petitioners noted that the plenary was not convened on the day the forged resolution was allegedly generated and approved.
They also asserted that aside from the three main officials mentioned above, no other member of the House was present when the document was signed.
All the names of the lawmakers were printed on the paper as proof of their approval of the resolution.
However, according to the petition, their signatures on the extract appended to the resolution were forged.
The petition, signed by Abel Kosoko, Esq., reads:
“JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, THEY CONSPIRED AMONGST THEMSELVES TO FORGE THE SIGNATURE OF OTHER HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO PASS AN AMENDED BUDGET OF THE OSOPADEC WHICH WAS TAGGED ‘HOUSE RESOLUTION.’
THERE WAS ALSO NO PRIOR NOTICE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF ANY MEETING IN CONNECTION WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED RESOLUTION.”
A proper procedure for a resolution of such magnitude requires its presentation to the members for discussion and voting for the adoption or otherwise. A similar process applies when a bill is proposed. According to the complainants, neither of the two was done by the leadership.
“The House of Assembly leadership intentionally and deliberately used their positions to override the procedures and regulations of the House to advance their personal agenda,” the petition stated.
“BY REASON OF THE FOREGOING,WE HEREBY CHARGE THE INDIVIDUALS HERETOFORE MENTIONED BEFORE THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION IN ORDER TO UNDERTAKE A FRAUD AUDIT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP AND TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST IN THE INSTITUTION.”
The development comes as members of the assembly continue to accuse the leader of misappropriating N44 million from the OSOPADEC budget.
Last Tuesday, Reportersroom learned that 21 members of the 26-seat assembly had reaffirmed their decision to impeach the speaker for alleged financial irregularities.
Their reasons were that the speaker deliberately and intentionally misappropriated N44 million from the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC).
However, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, allegedly tried to stop the motion from succeeding.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, said members of the assembly had given the speaker a final warning to step down from his post within seven days or face impeachment.
Olalekan A. Abudu is a seasoned and dedicated News Journalist at REPORTERS ROOM, with over eight years of experience. He specializes in politics, climate change, health, and education, while also covering security, economic, and judicial issues. Committed to accuracy and balanced reporting, Olalekan exemplifies the principles of public-interest journalism.
