The approval for this project, executed by Omay Engineering Services Ltd, was dated February 6, just days before the general election held on February 25.

Opposition parties in the state accused security agencies of collaborating with non-state actors to intimidate their supporters and influence votes in certain areas of the state.

 These revelations emerged from Public Procurement awards made by the state government in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2023.

Beyond the funds allocated for the renovation, the state Ministry of Justice disbursed N200 million to four senior lawyers to represent Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat in pre-election matters.

 Additionally, N20.8 million was released for the decoration of the venue for the political delegates’ congress, although this approval came more than three months after the 2023 general elections.

In July, the government approved N6.1 million for the provision of furniture items at the Campaign office in GRA, Ikeja. Critics argue that it is inappropriate for taxpayers’ money to be used to fund political activities.

Furthermore, N152 million was approved for the restoration of water supply at Iduganran palace, the official residence of the Oba of Lagos.

These revelations have sparked criticism, especially at a time when Nigerians are grappling with economic challenges.

 Deputy Governor Hamzat responded to the controversy, asserting that he received N2 million for rechargeable fans, not the reported N2 billion.

In a memo addressed to the Director General of the procurement agency, Hamzat also claimed that his wife got N2.5m each for her monthly outreach to indigents and empowerment programme as against the N30m captured by the agency.

He clarified that the reported expenses for outreach to indigents and empowerment programs were inaccurately stated and covered the entire year, not on a monthly basis as reported.

Hamzat, in the memo signed by Director, Finance and Account, Tola Ekemode, on behalf the Permanent Secretary in the office of the deputy governor, said the report by the agency was untrue, mischievous, fake and unfounded.

“It is important to state that truly, the office did get approval and awarded the provision of supply items (rechargeable fans, rechargeable lights and fridges) for the sum of =N=2,017,840 (Two Million, Seventeen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Naira) as against the =N=2,017,840,000 (Two Billion, Seventeen Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira as reported by Doherty in his purported letter.”

“In addition, the report that the office through the Wife of the Deputy Governor spent =N=30,000,000 monthly for outreach to indigents is inaccurate as the amount stated covered the whole year. It is =N=2,500,000 per month. Same for the Empowerment programme by the Wife of the Deputy Governor which also =N=2,500,000 per month as against =N=30,000,000 monthly reported,” read the memo.