A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, on Monday, accused the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of shielding the Director General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, from prosecution for purportedly misappropriating funds meant for the upgrade of the communication assets of the agency, among other accusations of misappropriation of funds by the DG of the agency, Dr. Femi Osanyintolu.
The group said it was awful that Governor Sanwo-Olu had continued to protect the LASEMA DG, from Investigation and prosecution for his alleged inability to account for funds meant for revamping the faulty Lagos State Command & Control Centre, the nucleus of information & intelligence gathering in the most digitally developed State in the country.
In a statement signed by Hon. Idowu Israel, Chairman Environmental Rights Movement on behalf of the Coalition, the group said it is displeased that despite calls by well meaning Lagosians, Leaders and Civil Society Organizations, and stakeholders on Governor Sanwo-Olu to order a probe into the activities of the agency under Dr. Femi Osanyintolu, the governor has continued to ignore such calls, as corrupt practices continued, under the supervision of the LASEMA Boss.
The statement said: “Mr. Governor cannot continue to ignore our call for a probe of an agency that is so strategic to the safety of lives and properties of Lagosians, in the face of the alleged corruption being perpetrated by the leadership of the agency. Failure to consider accountability of LASEMA, no doubt constitutes a threat to the lives of Lagosians, as whatever action of the agency that impedes its efficiency, becomes a threat to our safety, as Lagosians.”
“We therefore strongly feel, that inability of governor Sanwo-Olu to order a probe into the activities of LASEMA under Osanyintolu, undermines his administration’s commitment to decency, anti-corruption and ultimately the well-being of Lagosians. Recent events have suggested that LASEMA is becoming incapacitated, due to the current leadership and the pervasive corruption under it. We therefore ask, that the Governor without further delay, order a probe into the activities of LASEMA as a way towards rescuing the agency from the pitiable state it has found itself, under the leadership of Dr. Femi Osanyintolu”, the statement concluded.
