Ekiti govt to review LG tenure

The Ekiti State government has concluded plans to review the tenure of local government officials from three years to two years, ‘‘to enhance participatory governance at the grassroots’’.

Plans are also on for the establishment of the Office of Public Defenders, to enable the indigent with criminal cases have access to fair hearing.

These were contained in a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Idowu Adelusi Owoseni. He said bills to that effect had been prepared and would be sent to the House of Assembly for consideration. He added that kidnapping in Ekiti State might soon attract life jail if the bill being proposed by the state government received the backing of the state House of Assembly.

Idowu Adelusi said the decision was part of resolutions arrived at during the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kolapo Olusola.

Quoting the Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi, he said the proposed law would help stem the tide of abductions and kidnappings in the state.

He added that if the bill was passed, property of abductors would be confiscated by the government. The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kola Kolade, on his part, said the meeting also approved the nomination of Prince Ajayi Oluwasesan Omolagba of Odanaogun Ruling House as the new Oba to occupy the stool of the Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti which has been vacant since October, 2012, while Prince Adetiba Jimoh Oluwagbemiga of Ogbalegbojuotupe Ruling House was approved to occupy the stool of the Ajagun of Ilumoba-Ekiti which has been vacant since July 30, 2009.