Alhaji Ali Olanusi: sacked

The man who is said to be out of the country for medical reasons was impeached today by members of the state House of Assembly, in a hurried process that lasted six days.

​Twenty two​ of the 26 members of the Assembly endorsed the impeachment, weeks after he abandoned his governor, Olusegun Mimiko, in the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the All Progressives Congress. The PDP went on to lose the presidential election in the state, with the APC winning the three senatorial seats, to the embarrassment of the governor, who was the chief campaigner for President Goodluck Jonathan in the south west of Nigeria.

The motion for his impeachment was moved by the majority leader, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu​, from Ondo West 11 and seconded by Olatunji Dauro from Owo 11‎.

The Speaker, Jumoke Akindele, subsequently ruled that all government property in the custody of the Deputy Governor be retrieved by the Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Governor’s office.

On April 22, the Assembly had served an impeachment notice on Mr. Olanusi, alleging gross misconduct.

Some of the allegations levelled against him include financial misappropriation, absenteeism from official duties and causing disaffection in the state cabinet.

There was only one witness at the impeachment hearing, a permanent secretary, who claimed that Olanusi embezzled N40million.

The impeached deputy governor did not attend the hearing to defend himself.

Olanusi’s lawyers had fought vainly to stop the process, on the grounds that Olanusi, was not properly served the impeachment notice.