Nigerian-born UK council boss, Bayo Dosunmu resigns after drink-driving, drug charges
Nigerian-born Bayo Dosunmu, chief executive of Lambeth Council, has resigned following charges of drink-driving and drug possession.
Dosunmu, 46, was apprehended at the end of June in Westminster, London, after allegedly fleeing the scene of a car crash.
The charges against Dosunmu include failing to stop after an accident, being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, possession of class A drugs, and driving without insurance.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that he was arrested on Sunday, June 23, and formally charged the following day.
Lambeth Council issued a statement noting that Dosunmu would be stepping down from his £185,000-a-year post starting next week.
“Bayo Dosunmu has stepped down as chief executive of Lambeth Council with effect from Monday, July 15, 2024,” a council spokesman said. “Fiona Connolly is currently acting chief executive, and the council will shortly begin the process to recruit a permanent chief executive.”
In response to the incident, the council indicated that Dosunmu would be taking time away from his duties.
His departure comes as a significant blow to the Labour-run local authority, which he has led since his appointment in 2022. Before becoming chief executive, Dosunmu served as the borough’s deputy chief and strategic director for resident services.
His extensive career also includes roles as an executive director at Homes England, assistant chief executive at the Homes and Communities Agency, and senior positions within the Welsh Government and the Olympic Delivery Authority.
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A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police provided further details on the charges: “Bayo Dosunmu, 46, of Hammersmith, was arrested on Sunday, June 23, in the Westminster area. He was charged on Monday, June 24. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 1.”
The incident has prompted discussions on the implications of leadership accountability and the pressures faced by public officials. Legal and community leaders have weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the need for transparency and responsibility.
As Lambeth Council begins the search for a new chief executive, the focus will be on maintaining stability and continuing to address the needs of the borough’s residents.
The council’s priority is to ensure that the transition period is handled smoothly and that public trust in the local government is upheld.
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar and Maryam Sulaiman, Editor and Journalist at Neptune Prime.
