By Bukola Kayode
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced his intention to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the alleged misappropriation of the state’s funds during the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
According to the report of an Administrative Panel of Enquiry, N96bn was misappropriated during Obaseki’s eight-year tenure.
The Governor announced his plans on Friday while receiving the panel’s report, which was submitted to him in Benin City.
The findings were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
The panel, constituted on December 18, 2024, investigated the financial dealings of the 18 impeached local government chairmen from September 4, 2023, to November 2024.
The report indicted not only the former chairmen but also alleged that prominent figures within the factional Peoples Democratic Party were complicit in the misappropriation of funds.
Governor Okpebholo commended the panel for its professionalism and emphasised that financial recklessness in public office would no longer be tolerated.
“The administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki took Edo people for granted. They looted resources meant for the people and diverted them for personal gains. We are determined to change this narrative and ensure justice is served,” Okpebholo stated.
“I will personally take this report to the EFCC to ensure those responsible are held accountable. The era of impunity is over.”
According to the chairman of the panel, Solomon Imohiosen, forensic investigations uncovered significant financial irregularities, with N95.08bn received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee by the 18 local government councils during the period under review.
However, the report stated that there was little to show in terms of meaningful projects executed with the funds.
The panel further alleged that over N10.43bn was siphoned under the guise of “Security, Environment, and Training,” with the 18 local government chairmen contributing to a fund that was allegedly used as a conduit for misappropriation.
Funds were also allegedly transferred from this account to individuals and private companies.
The report also implicated former ALGON Chairman, Oghomwen Ugiagbe, and other political figures, alleging that they used personal businesses, including hotels, to funnel public funds.
“The panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 local governments councils. The recommendations outlined in the report aim to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in the local governments finances,” the panel chairman said.
But reacting to the allegation, Obaseki’s Chief Press Secretary, Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the report as a politically motivated attempt to justify the unconstitutional removal of elected local government officials.
“Governor Okpebholo has no supervisory power over the local governments and cannot set up an investigation into their financial activities. If he believes there are infractions, he should refer the matter to the appropriate agencies rather than engaging in propaganda,” Osagie said.
He further accused Okpebholo of attempting to drag Obaseki into the controversy, insisting that the former governor never controlled local government funds during his tenure.
“Okpebholo should focus on governance rather than this his witch-hunt drive against his predecessors. Edo people should ignore these baseless allegations.”
He said, “We have read with disdain a statement by Monday Okpebholo alleging that the elected 18 local government chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96bn, in another of Okpebholo’s frantic efforts to justify his unconstitutional onslaught on the elected leadership of the third tier of government.
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