Date: 2018-08-01

The lawmaker, representing Ojomu/Balogun constituency of Offa in Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Saheed Popoola, is facing probe over allegations of fraud levelled against him by a colleague. However, Mr. Popoola has described all the allegations as lies.

The Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad, while opening discussion for the petition on the floor of the House yesterday, said: "With the volume of the petitions and contents, and even reactions from that constituency, it is evident that the lawmaker should be suspended, but we can't act like a military regime here.

"The appropriate committee will handle investigation of those allegations to know their veracity or otherwise, because we have to ensure thorough fairness and justice in everything we do here for the sake of posterity."

He said three petitions, which bordered on certificate forgery and bounced cheque were presented against the lawmaker at yesterday's plenary.

He referred the petitions to the House Joint Committees on Public Petition and Justice for thorough investigation in a bid to ensure fairness. In reaction, the embattled lawmaker said: "It is not unusual this time when politicking is with very high expectations.

"I saw it on the floor of the House three petitions against me and the Speaker did the right thing. So many Houses all over the nation are in turbulence. That we are able to manage ourselves here, I think it is commendable."