The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested the Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Muibi Alade Folawiyo, over allegations of large-scale financial misconduct.
The arrest, which took place at the council secretariat located at 42 Broad Street in Lagos, followed Folawiyo’s repeated refusal to honour formal invitations extended to him by the anti-graft agency.
According to ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare,
the embattled council boss is under investigation for misappropriating public
funds, diverting council resources for personal enrichment, and bypassing
official financial procedures.
“He was arrested at the council secretariat
on 42 Broad Street, Lagos, after repeatedly ignoring invitations which he
acknowledged,” Bakare told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The arrest was carried out by a team of
investigators from the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja, who reportedly arrived in
Lagos earlier this week to enforce the commission’s summons.
“He is currently in our custody. He was
arrested for the aforementioned reasons but has since been granted
administrative bail. He is expected to report back today as the investigation
continues,” the ICPC spokesperson added.
Although details of the alleged infractions
have not been fully disclosed, sources within the commission say the
investigation stems from multiple petitions alleging misuse of council funds,
questionable award of contracts, and unauthorized cash withdrawals traced to
the LCDA’s accounts.
Folawiyo, a prominent grassroots politician
in Lagos Island and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was
re-elected in 2021 and has been serving his second term as council chairman.
His arrest marks one of the most high-profile corruption-related actions
against a local government official in Lagos in recent years.
Analysts believe the development could signal
a renewed anti-corruption drive targeting local council administrations, which
have long faced criticism for lack of transparency and poor accountability
despite receiving statutory federal allocations.
As the investigation unfolds, the ICPC is
expected to invite other council officials for questioning, particularly those
linked to procurement, finance, and revenue collection units. There is also
speculation that the commission may place a restriction on movement for
Folawiyo and other suspects, pending the outcome of the probe.
Neither Folawiyo nor the Lagos State
Government has issued an official statement as of the time of filing this
report.
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