The Kogi State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective legislative oversight, dismissing recent allegations by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) concerning the management of funds linked to security operations in the state.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Yabagi Mohammed, the Assembly described claims suggesting a failure in its oversight responsibilities as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with the realities of the activities of the Eighth Assembly.
According to the statement, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, the Assembly has maintained a strong commitment to good governance through regular oversight functions across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
It noted that House committees routinely engage relevant institutions to ensure that public funds are utilized in line with constitutional provisions and established procedures.
The Assembly stressed that legislative oversight is a continuous constitutional responsibility guided by facts, due process, and verifiable evidence, rather than speculation or unverified reports.
It maintained that where issues warrant legislative intervention, the House possesses the constitutional authority and institutional capacity to act appropriately within the framework of the law.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by CISLAC, the Assembly emphasized that the allegations remain unproven and should be subjected to investigation by the relevant anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies. It urged that such agencies be allowed to carry out their duties professionally and without interference before any conclusions are drawn.
The statement further rejected attempts to portray the legislature as inactive or negligent, highlighting the Assembly’s record of budget monitoring, committee engagements, legislative scrutiny, and accountability reviews since its inauguration.
The House reiterated its readiness to collaborate with civil society organizations and other stakeholders in promoting transparency and accountability, provided such engagements are anchored on facts, objectivity, and respect for constitutional institutions.
The Assembly also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and avoid making judgments based on allegations that have not been thoroughly investigated.
It assured citizens that it would continue to diligently discharge its constitutional mandate and uphold the principles of democratic oversight, transparency, accountability, and good governance in the best interest of the people of Kogi State.
