“Governor Okpebholo to Petition EFCC Over Alleged N96bn Mismanagement in Obaseki’s Administration”
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged financial mismanagement of N96 billion during the tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
The claim stems from a report by an Administrative Panel of Enquiry, which was submitted to Okpebholo in Benin City on Friday. The panel’s investigation revealed that significant misappropriation occurred during Obaseki’s time in office. The report also implicated prominent figures within the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the scandal.
The panel, which was constituted on December 18, 2024, investigated the financial activities of the 18 impeached local government chairmen between September 4, 2023, and November 2024. The findings suggest that over N95.08 billion was received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee by the local governments, but there was little to show in terms of executed projects.
Governor Okpebholo commended the panel for its thorough investigation and reiterated his commitment to transparency and accountability in his administration. He emphasized that financial recklessness in public office would no longer be tolerated, 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.”
The report further alleged that over N10.43 billion was misappropriated under the guise of “Security, Environment, and Training.” It was claimed that funds were diverted through these channels into private hands, with figures such as former ALGON Chairman Oghomwen Ugiagbe implicated.
In response, Obaseki’s Chief Press Secretary, Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the report as politically motivated, accusing Okpebholo of attempting to justify the unconstitutional removal of the elected local government officials. Osagie argued that Okpebholo had no legal authority to investigate the financial activities of local governments and should instead report any infractions to the relevant agencies.
Osagie further stressed that Governor Obaseki never controlled local government funds during his time in office and that Okpebholo’s accusations were an attempt to tarnish Obaseki’s reputation. He called on Edo residents to ignore what he described as a baseless attack on the former governor, asserting that Obaseki’s administration was one of the most transparent in the state’s history.
The ongoing dispute between the two governors has further intensified political tensions in Edo State, with Okpebholo pledging to take the matter to the EFCC and ensuring that those responsible for the alleged mismanagement are held accountable.
