Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced his intention to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged financial mismanagement during the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
This decision follows a report by an Administrative Panel of Inquiry, which claims that N96 billion was misappropriated during Obaseki’s tenure.
Governor Okpebholo disclosed this information on Friday while receiving the panel’s report, which was submitted to him in Benin City. The findings were detailed 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 not only accused the former chairmen of financial misconduct but also suggested 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 emphasized that financial recklessness in public office would no longer be tolerated. He stressed the need for accountability and transparency, assuring that those found guilty would face prosecution.
“The administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki took the people of Edo for granted. They misappropriated resources meant for the public and diverted them for personal gain. We are determined to change this narrative and ensure that 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.”
The panel’s chairman, Solomon Imohiosen, reported that forensic investigations uncovered significant financial irregularities. The report revealed that the 18 local government councils received N95.08 billion from the Joint Allocation Account Committee during the investigation period. However, there was little to show in terms of meaningful projects executed with these funds. Additionally, the panel alleged that over N10.43 billion was siphoned under the pretense of “Security, Environment, and Training.”
The 18 local government chairmen allegedly contributed to a fund that was used as a conduit for misappropriation, with funds also allegedly transferred from this account to individuals and private companies. The report implicated former ALGON Chairman, Oghomwen Ugiagbe, along with other political figures, alleging they used personal businesses, including hotels, to funnel public funds.
“The panel’s investigation revealed significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 local government councils. The recommendations outlined in the report aim to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in local government finances,” Imohiosen said.
In response to the allegations, 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 stated.
He further accused Okpebholo of trying 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 witch-hunt against his predecessors. The people of Edo should ignore these baseless allegations.”
Osagie continued, “We have read with disdain Okpebholo’s statement alleging that the elected 18 local government chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96 billion, in another of his frantic efforts to justify his unconstitutional assault on the elected leadership of the third tier of government. What is most shocking is that Okpebholo appears to be completely oblivious to the fact that he does not have supervisory responsibility over the local governments and therefore cannot set up any investigation of elected officials.”
He added, “As a matter of fact, these local government chairmen have a more legitimate claim to their democratic office than he does, especially with the upcoming election petition tribunal decision regarding the September 21, 2024 election, widely believed to have been rigged. Okpebholo’s attempt to involve former Governor Obaseki in this controversy shows his ignorance. Obaseki was never obsessed with controlling local government funds during his tenure, unlike Okpebholo has demonstrated in the last three months.”
Osagie concluded, “We feel compelled, due to this statement, to inform Okpebholo that there are limits to his powers as governor. If he believes there are financial infractions in a separate tier of government, he should notify the relevant agencies, such as the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.”
