By Mumini Abdulkareem
T he Kwara State House of Assembly has commenced the process to clear the salary arrears of legislator of the 7th House of Assembly, Hon Iliasu Ibrahim.
This development is coming on the heels of โreconciliation movesโ allegedly initiated by a top member of the serving legislature.
To this end, the former chief whip reportedly met the Speaker of the House, Dr Ali Ahmad twice within the last two months to allegedly fine tune modalities for the payment of the backlog.
It was also gathered that the salary imbroglio between Iliasu and the House of Assembly has been withdrawn from the court in respect of the ongoing process.
However, the actual amount being owed the ex-lawmaker could not be ascertained, last night.
A top source who spoke to our reporter in confidence because he was not authorised to make official comment on the issue lauded the Speaker for doing the needful irrespective of political differences.
Though it has not been verified when the money will be finally paid but it was learnt that lawyers from both parties have been โmandatedโ to calculate and harmonise the actual amount to be paid to him.
Speaking further on the issue, another source told this reporter that, โThere have been about two meetings between the Speaker and Iliasu so far and more may still come because it is an ongoing process that will finally lead to the payment of his entitlements.
โLawyers who had hitherto handled the case before it was withdrawn have been directed to calculate the exact amount of the months and the money based on his entitlementโ, he added.
Asked whether the legislature is also involved, the source said, the issue is between the Office of the Clerk and the Speaker.
When contacted, Iliasu confirmed the development to this medium adding that he is optimistic about the whole process.
According to him โYes, the process of payment is ongoing and they have promised (to pay the arrears). But we are still waiting.โ
Recall that Iliasu, representing Oloru/Malete/Ipaiye/ constituency of Moro local government was first suspended in May 2012 by the 7th legislature over an 18-count allegation he raised against the then speaker, Hon Razak Atunwa.
In 2013, another suspension was slammed on him over alleged threat to life to Hon Saadu Tanke and Iliasu was subsequently bared from the assembly complex.
The House then resolved that, โthe lawmaker shall not be entitled to any pay for the period of his suspensionโ.
The issue has been a subject of litigation between both parties until the recent development.
