The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has commended Peoples Gazette for its superlative efforts in holding power accountable, acknowledging its role in the eventual ouster of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly over staggering fraud allegations.

In mobilising for Mr Obasa’s impeachment on Monday, the Lagos lawmakers heavily relied on The Gazette’s latest exclusive investigation detailing how Mr Obasa oversaw the withdrawal of outrageous N45.3 billion lavished on back-up vehicles for the 40 lawmakers between 2023 and 2024. The Gazette had also documented a series of other financial infractions perpetuated by Mr Obasa during his nearly a decade tenure as the speaker of the Lagos assembly.

In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, on Tuesday, the anti-corruption group “particularly commended Peoples Gazette and Sahara Reporters for their diligent investigative efforts, which exposed widespread corruption under Mr. Obasa’s leadership.”  It added that the story was reflective of the significant role of investigative journalism, noting that the report was laudable

The group also commended Sahara Reporters and civil society for also exposing speaker’s financial impropriety and seeking his prosecution.

It said, “Their reports, including revelations of several abuse of office in the last four years by the speaker and the most recent report of N43.5 billion /exclusive-lagos-assembly-spends-n43-5-billion-on-backup-vehicles-for-40-members-in-massive-looting-under-speaker-obasa/ controversially withdrawn for backup vehicles and other questionable expenditures were instrumental in driving this significant action.”  

The group stated, “As a civil society organization committed to transparency and anti-corruption advocacy, HEDA takes pride in its consistent calls for accountability regarding Mr. Obasa’s tenure. Over the years, several petitions detailing financial improprieties and abuse of office were filed, urging the appropriate authorities to act decisively.”

The group further noted that Mr Obasa’s impeachment was a direct indication of the power of continued advocacy, acknowledging the role of genuine collaboration between the media and civil society.

The group, however, tasked the financial crime commission and other concerned agencies to investigate Mr Obasa’s fraud allegations, urging public officials to uphold the tenets of integrity and accountability.

It added, “We call on the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take immediate and thorough action. It is imperative that these agencies investigate the allegations against Mr. Obasa, ensuring that justice is served and that any erring public officer found guilty faces the full weight of the law.’’