Samad Ogunbo, a politician vying for the Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area chairmanship role in Lagos State, has been accused of deception and breaching civil service regulations by allegedly holding two government positions simultaneously.
According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, Ogunbo was appointed as “Supervisor for Health” at the Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in April 2022. However, records from the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) show that he was still listed as an active staff member on its payroll during the same period.
SUBEB reportedly expressed shock upon learning that Ogunbo, along with another individual, was drawing salaries from both SUBEB and the Eti-Osa LCDA at the same time.
In response to an official inquiry into his employment status, SUBEB confirmed Ogunbo was indeed employed by the Board but claimed it had no knowledge of his additional role or remuneration from the LCDA.
“Sequel to your letter dated 4th April, 2025, with reference number EOELCDA/CH/01/VOL.1/099, requesting for the employment and salary status of Mr. Samad Ogunbo and Miss Rasak Abidemi,” SUBEB conveyed its response to the local council through a letter signed by the Education Secretary, Soetan S.A.
“I wish to clarify the fact, based on the records before me, that the two officers are currently staff of Eti-Osa Local Government Education Authority and are on the payroll of the said organisation.
“Moreover, this office is shocked to know that the said officers are currently on the nominal payroll of your organisation without prior notification of occupying any political appointment offices.”
“Therefore, this office will be glad to assist you further in your investigation if the need arises. Assuring you of my best regards and highest considerations,” SUBEB added.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, a source said, “Ogunbo has been receiving salaries from the state government as both a civil servant and a political appointee at the local government level—a clear violation of Lagos State law, which prohibits any government employee from simultaneously holding an appointment in local government.”
When reached for comment, Ogunbo stated that the case was under police investigation but declined to elaborate further.
“The case is with the police. I am in a meeting now,” he said.
SaharaReporters learnt that Samad is currently vying for the Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area chairmanship role.
Legal practitioner Awosusi Kehinde stated to SaharaReporters that the described conduct qualifies as a punishable crime under the law.
“You cannot be employed by one government organisation and then be receiving salaries from another. It is an abuse of the extant labour laws of the country,” he said.
Awosusi added that the proper procedure would have been to apply for a leave of absence from the primary place of assignment before accepting a political appointment.
“You can also get to work in the organisation through secondment. Secondment is a case where you inform your organisation of your appointment in a government agency and seek permission to use your skills, which are required there, for a certain period of time,” he explained.
“When your tenure expires, you fully return to your primary place of assignment.”
When SaharaReporters reached out to Police Spokesperson Ben Hundeyin for comments on the incident and the police’s involvement, he did not answer calls. He had yet to respond to text messages as of the time of filing this report.
© SaharaReporters
