JUST IN: OKPEBHOLO SETS UP PANEL TO PROBE OBASEKI’S ADMINISTRATION

Read Time:1 Minute, 48 Second

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the formation of a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The committee, which will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, at Government House in Benin City, will be chaired by Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe. Anslem Ojezua will serve as deputy chairman, while Frank Edebor will act as secretary.

Other members of the committee include Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, and Rasaq Bello-Osagie. Additional members are Fredrick Unopah, Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, explained the purpose of the committee.

He said, “In furtherance of the governor’s initiative to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership, the establishment of a State Assets Verification Committee has become imperative.

“Despite repeated calls for a comprehensive database of the assets and liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government provided only scanty and limited information.

“In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability, and transparency in governance, a committee comprising respected sons and daughters of Edo State has been constituted.”

The statement further noted that the committee would be inaugurated at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, 26 November 2024, at 1:00 pm prompt.

Background on the probe

A PUNCH report on 20 November indicated that the Edo State government might launch a probe into the previous administration after receiving reports from the permanent secretaries of various ministries in the state.

A government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the governor was still being briefed by the permanent secretaries to assess the performance of the Obaseki-led administration.

The official said, “The governor is reviewing reports from the permanent secretaries of various ministries to evaluate the immediate past government. These findings will determine whether to initiate a probe and, if so, the scope of the investigation.

“However, under this administration, the people and their interests will always come first,” the official added.