By Peter Dansu A bitter feud has erupted within Kosofe Local Government in Lagos as the council chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe, and Councillor...
By Peter Dansu
A bitter feud has erupted within Kosofe Local Government in Lagos as the council chairman, Moyosore Ogunlewe, and Councillor Gbenga Samuel David accuse each other of corruption and misconduct, dragging the local government into a scandal involving alleged financial fraud and s€xual assault.
Ogunlewe has firmly denied claims that his administration mismanaged a ₦100 million empowerment programme, describing the allegation by the councillor as false and politically motivated.
According to Lagos Reporters, the chairman said the councillor’s accusations were a desperate attempt to divert public attention from a sexual assault allegation currently hanging over him.
Ogunlewe in report by Lagos Reporters said, the empowerment scheme was carried out with transparency and proper documentation, insisting that the process was open and accountable.
He explained that residents were invited over a one week period to register for the programme at the council secretariat. From the pool of applicants, beneficiaries were randomly selected after a comprehensive list was compiled.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we maintain detailed records of every beneficiary, including their full names, phone numbers, Bank Verification Numbers, home addresses and valid means of identification,” Ogunlewe said. “Our books are open and our integrity is beyond question.”
The chairman also dismissed claims surrounding a recent court injunction secured by the councillor, clarifying that the order had nothing to do with any alleged exposure of financial wrongdoing within the council.
Ogunlewe explained that the court order merely restrains the Legislative Council from suspending David over his prolonged absence from council sittings, which reportedly lasted nearly two months.
He alleged that the councillor stopped attending legislative meetings around the same time he was invited to appear before a panel set up to investigate a sexual assault complaint against him.
“The injunction is simply an attempt to evade accountability. It has absolutely nothing to do with any alleged ₦100 million fraud in this administration,” the chairman said.
Ogunlewe further noted that the power to suspend a councillor does not lie with the executive arm of the council.
“As executive chairman, I understand my constitutional duties. Suspending a councillor is not within my powers. That responsibility belongs to the Legislative Council,” he added.
Council officials also revealed that the sexual assault allegation against David predates the current administration. According to them, the complaint was originally filed by Miss Idowu Charity during David’s tenure as Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs.
The matter was reportedly presented before a previous Legislative Council where it was said to have been resolved amicably. However, the petitioner later approached the current Legislative Council, which invited the councillor for a fresh hearing, an invitation the council said he declined.
David has denied the allegation, insisting it is false and politically motivated. He argued that the petition, dated December 19, 2025, surfaced shortly after he submitted a misconduct petition to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The councillor claimed the sexual harassment allegation was orchestrated to discredit him and silence his claims of financial irregularities within the local government.
Meanwhile, a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Sule-Amzat has granted an interim injunction restraining the respondents from suspending, expelling or taking any disciplinary action against the councillor pending the determination of the substantive suit.
In the ruling, the court also barred the Nigeria Police Force from arresting or detaining David over the sexual harassment petition, noting that the matter is already under investigation by the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Ikoyi.
Justice Sule-Amzat further directed all parties involved to refrain from taking further steps regarding the petition until the court rules on the pending motion.
The dispute has since heightened tensions within Kosofe Local Government, with political observers closely watching how the unfolding allegations and court proceedings will shape the council’s leadership dynamics in the coming weeks.
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