16
Feb
Feb
EDO STATE GOVERNOR RECEIVES REPORT ON N96BN LOCAL GOVERNMENT FRAUD, VOWS TO PROSECUTE INDICTED OFFICIALS
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Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months
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- 2 min read
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will prosecute some of the recently impeached Edo State Local Government chairmen indicted for looting the Local Government treasuries, running into over N95 billion. The Governor received the report of the Administrative Panel of Enquiry set up to investigate the financial dealings of the impeached 18 Local Government Chairmen in Edo State from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, stated that the report indicted former Governor Godwin Obaseki, leaders of the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and others. Governor Okpebholo expressed satisfaction with the committee for the professionalism with which it carried out its duty, saying, “Nigerians need to start demanding accountability from elected public office holders.” He stressed that “it was the only way to fight corruption and ensure development.” The Governor vowed to petition the EFCC on the findings of the report for immediate prosecution, saying, “I want to thank you for a job well done. I carefully listened to the submission of the report. The truth is that the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki took Edo people for granted. They took everything belonging to Edo people and channeled it for their personal gains.” Fred Itua stated that the panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 Local Governments Councils. The report indicted former ALGON chairman, Oghomwen Newman Ugiagbe, who used his hotel, Demarriots Hotels Limited, Ahonsi Ogiegbaen Osifo, Eric Agbonmwanre, Abraham Burma, and Dickson Imasogie Notiemwenmwan to loot Local Government funds. The panel reported that N95 billion (N95,080,676,687.86) was received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) by the 18 Local Government Area Chairmen for the period investigated. However, the funds were not judiciously utilized, as no meaningful projects were on the ground to justify the amount received. Fred Itua stated that the Governor would personally take the document to the EFCC to ensure that justice is done for the wrong done to Edo people.
