Juju scare: Ondo Assembly suspends member

The Ondo State Assembly, on Wednesday, suspended the member representing Ose State Constituency, Chief Fola Olasehinde, over her alleged possession of fetish materials. The Deputy Speaker, Dare Emiola, who announced the indefinite suspension on the floor of the House, said the decision was taken at the parliamentary meeting of the assembly. He said the House had inaugurated a five-member committee, led by Fatai Olotu, to investigate the allegation, following the revelation that the lawmaker was in possession of fetish item. Landlord of the lawmaker, Kolawole Ogunbadejo, had alleged that she was in possession of fetish items, saying she had turned the house into a shrine. Fetish objects allegedly found in the house included amulets, snail shells, live snails, cow horns of different sizes wrapped in coloured cloth, miniature coffins, photo images of humans and animals, concoctions in black clay pots, as well as bottles and cans containing all manner of liquids. Some personal effects of the female lawmaker, including House of Assembly vehicle plate number, campaign posters and hand bills were also said to be found in the apartment. But Olasehinde, who represents Ose State Constituency, denied any knowledge of the fetish items, saying she had moved all her belongings to a new accommodation at GRA, Alagbaka, Akure, since October, 2012. The issue has, however, generated controversies necessitating the assembly to investigate the matter, following which the female lawmaker, was suspended.