Edo State governor Monday Okpebholo to Petition EFCC as Panel Uncovers Alleged N96bn Fraud Under Obaseki

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following allegations of a N96 billion fraud during the tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. The decision comes after an Administrative Panel of Inquiry, established on December 18, 2024, submitted a damning report indicting Obaseki, 18 impeached local government chairmen, and prominent members of the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The panel’s findings indicate widespread financial mismanagement across local government administrations between September 4, 2023, and November 2024. It was alleged that despite receiving N95.08 billion from the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC), there was little to show in terms of infrastructural development, with substantial amounts allegedly diverted to private accounts and shell companies.

Panel Uncovers Massive Fraud in Edo’s Local Government Councils

The Administrative Panel of Inquiry, led by its chairman, Solomon Imohiosen, detailed serious financial irregularities across the 18 local government councils during its investigation. According to the report, over N10.43 billion was allegedly siphoned under the pretext of “Security, Environment, and Training,” with funds being funneled into private accounts and businesses.

Further findings implicated former Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Chairman, Oghomwen Ugiagbe, and other political figures in the alleged fraudulent activities. The panel claimed that these individuals used personal businesses, including hotels, as conduits for laundering public funds.

Governor Monday Okpebholo expressed deep concern over the findings, stating, “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 Assures Prosecution of Those Found Guilty

Governor Monday Okpebholo has pledged to take decisive action against all those implicated in the report, vowing to personally submit the findings to the EFCC to ensure a thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in governance, emphasizing that financial recklessness would no longer be tolerated in Edo State.

“I will personally take this report to the EFCC to ensure those responsible are held accountable. The era of impunity is over,” Okpebholo stated. He commended the panel for conducting a professional and in-depth investigation, which he believes will serve as a foundation for future reforms in local government administration.

The governor further urged anti-corruption agencies to act swiftly on the findings, stressing that no individual, regardless of political affiliation, would be exempt from scrutiny if found guilty of mismanaging public funds.

Obaseki’s Camp Rejects Allegations, Calls It Political Witch-Hunt

In a swift reaction, Crusoe Osagie, Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, dismissed the panel’s report as politically motivated. He accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of orchestrating a smear campaign to justify what he termed the unconstitutional removal of elected local government officials.

“Governor Monday 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 alleged that Monday Okpebholo’s administration was attempting to drag Obaseki into a political battle, insisting that the former governor had no control over local government funds. “We urge all Edo people and Nigerians to ignore the lies and falsehood propagated by Monday Okpebholo. Obaseki ran the most transparent government in the history of Edo State and had no authority over local government funds at any time during his eight years in office,” Osagie added.

Political Tensions Rise as Edo State Awaits EFCC’s Response

The allegations have further intensified political tensions in Edo State, with the opposition accusing the Monday Okpebholo administration of using the corruption claims as a tool for political vendetta. Meanwhile, civil society organizations and residents of the state have called for an independent probe to verify the panel’s findings before drawing conclusions.

As the petition is set to be submitted to the EFCC, political analysts believe this case could shape the political landscape of Edo State ahead of the 2024 governorship election. If substantiated, the allegations could significantly impact the credibility of the PDP and its key figures, while bolstering Okpebholo’s stance on transparency and governance reforms.

For now, the ball is in the EFCC’s court, as citizens await the agency’s next steps in addressing the alleged financial mismanagement in Edo State.