Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced plans to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial mismanagement during the tenure of his predecessor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. The decision follows a report from an administrative panel of enquiry, which claims that N96 billion was misappropriated under the previous administration.
Governor Okpebholo received the panel’s findings on Friday in Benin City, reiterating his commitment to accountability and transparency in governance. The panel, established on 18th December 2024, investigated the financial dealings of 18 impeached local government chairmen from September 2023 to November 2024. Its report uncovered significant irregularities, including over N10.43 billion allegedly siphoned under the guise of security, environmental projects, and training programs.
In response, Mr. Obaseki’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the report as politically motivated. He emphasized that the Edo State Governor lacks supervisory power over local governments and urged residents to disregard the allegations. Osagie maintained that Mr. Obaseki’s administration was transparent and had no control over local government finances.
The development has sparked a heated debate over governance and accountability in Edo State, with Governor Okpebholo vowing to pursue the matter through legal channels.
