Investigate Alleged Financial Recklessness, Edo PDP Tells EFCC

Edo State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP caretaker Committee, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, yesterday called on the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to investigate what it described as the ‚fraudulent activities and financial recklessness characterising the government operations of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

The PDP caretaker chairman‘s call came following Governor Monday Okpebholo‘s suspension of his Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Local Government Commission, Damian Lawani, over an allegation of fraud.

Okpebholo announced the suspension of the two top government officials over grave official and financial infractions on Wednesday night in a statement by the secretary to the state government, Umar Ikhilor, made available by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua.

However, in a viral statement, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, denied any wrongdoing. They noted that he is ready to defend his hard-earned reputation against the allegation.

Aziegbemi, in a statement said, „The suspension of Edo State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani, over allegations of grave financial infractions, validates the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)‘s concerns about reckless financial mismanagement, maladministration and illegality under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo.

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“These findings merely scratch the surface of systemic corruption, misappropriation of public funds, and blatant legal violations occurring right under the governor‘s watch.

“Despite these suspensions, only a thorough investigation can reveal the full extent of the corruption and organised theft committed by these disempowered politicians, who have regained control of public finances in just 85 days of Okpebholo‘s administration.

“From illegally ousting duly elected council chairpersons using thugs to misappropriating funds intended for local government workers and mishandling revenue generation, resulting in a drop of the State‘s IGR from about N8bn to N2bn monthly, the situation reflects widespread maladministration and entrenched corruption.

“We also urge relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, the police, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the fraudulent activities and financial recklessness characterising the government’s operations over the past two months“.