Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his aides will soon be called to answer cases around the sum of N96 billion found missing from state coffers.
Senator Monday Okpebholo has received the report of the Administrative Panel of Inquiry that investigated the financial activities of the 18 removed local government councils chairmen, exposing the alleged fraud.
The report implicated former Governor Godwin Obaseki and key leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in alleged large-scale misappropriation of public funds.
Speaking after receiving the report, Okpebholo declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission would prosecute those found guilty, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki took Edo people for granted,” he said. “They took everything belonging to the Edo people and channeled it for their personal gains. This time, things are different. We will go after them and retrieve what they have stolen.”
Chairman of the panel, Solomon Imohiosen, disclosed that forensic investigations uncovered significant financial irregularities, with N95 billion received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee by the 18 local government councils but mismanaged without tangible projects to justify the funds.
The report detailed how N10.4 billion was siphoned under a fraudulent account labeled “Security, Environment and Training,” with the chairmen allegedly using it as a conduit to funnel government funds to individuals and companies.
Among those indicted was a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Oghomwen Ugiagbe, who allegedly used his hotel, Demarriots Hotels Limited, along with Ahonsi Ogiegbaen Osifo, Eric Agbonmwanre, Abraham Burma, and Dickson Notiemwenmwan, to divert local government funds.
The panel also faced resistance during its investigation, with officials obstructing inquiries and delaying the submission of financial records.
“The recommendations in this report aim to address these irregularities and ensure transparency in Edo’s local government finances,” Imohiosen stated.
Okpebholo pledged to personally submit the report to the EFCC, promising that those responsible would be held accountable.
- Crediblenewsng.com
