Lagos Council Chair Arrested Over Alleged Corruption

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has apprehended the Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Muibi Folawiyo, over allegations of large-scale corruption.

In a statement released on Wednesday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare confirmed that Folawiyo was taken into custody at the council secretariat located on 42 Broad Street, Lagos. This followed his repeated refusal to honour several invitations, despite acknowledging them.

Bakare disclosed that the council boss is under investigation for allegedly embezzling public funds, diverting government resources for personal use, and violating established administrative procedures.

“He is currently in our custody. He was arrested by operatives from our headquarters for these offences but has since been granted administrative bail. He is expected to report back today as investigations continue,” Bakare said.

Meanwhile, in Osun State, the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has formally withdrawn its legal action against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and local government chairmen elected during the controversial council elections held on October 15, 2022.

The notice of discontinuance, dated June 25, 2025, and signed by Musbau Adetunbi (SAN), counsel to the union, was submitted to the Osun State High Court sitting in Ilesa. A copy was also served on Fatima Raji, counsel to the APC.

NULGE explained that its decision to withdraw the suit was influenced by the June 13, 2025, judgment of the Court of Appeal, which it believes addressed the critical issues raised in the case.

The protracted dispute between the PDP-led state government and the opposition APC had stalled operations at the local government level, leading to frozen federal allocations since February. The crisis also prompted local government workers under NULGE to boycott work, citing the takeover of council secretariats by the APC chairmen.