Mismanagement Of Funds: Obaseki, PDP leaders Indicted as Edo investigative panel alleges diversion of Council funds
Edo State panel, headed by Okpebholo, has indicted the former Governor of the State Godwin Obaseki of diversion of local government funds.
The administrative panel of investigation was set up by the Governor of the state, Monday Okpebholo, to look into the financial accounts of the deposed 18 Local Government Chairmen between 4th September, 2023 and November, 2024, has allegedly found former Governor of Edo State, Governor Obaseki, wanting.
Obaseki is said to have mismanaged or diverted N96bn Local Council funds−funds meant for community developments in the state.
According to a statement made available by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Edo State, Fred Itua, reveals that some various Local Government Chairmen, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others, have been indicted.
Solomon Imohiosen, the chairman of the investigative panel, in his report to the governor of the state, claimed that those indicted were named either for mismanagement or diversion of public funds into private accounts for personal gains.
Reports also claimed that the total sum of N95,080,676,687.86 was diverted from Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) by the deposed 18 Local Government Chairmen amid the period under review.
Mismanagement Of Funds: Obaseki, PDP Leaders Indicted
As listed by Imohiosen, the following are the names of the indicted individuals involved in the mismanagement and diversion of public funds for personal gains:
- The embattled chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government, Newman Ugiagbe who is also the State chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON.
- Ahonsi Ogiegbaen Osifo,
- Eric Agbonmwanre,
- Abraham Burma, and
- Dickson Imasogie Notiemwenmwan.
Allegations are being made that the ALGON chairman embezzled the council funds using his hotel (the Demarriots Hotels Limited) in collaboration with other individuals.
Mismanagement Of Funds: Obaseki, PDP Leaders Indicted
The further allegation states that inquiry and forensic investigation unraveled that the N96 billion was either mismanaged or diverted into personal accounts.
Imohiosen also said that the panel discovered that N95,080,676,687.86 was transferred from Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) by eighteen Local Government Chairmen during their period of investigation.
Howbeit, the diverted funds were not properly used as there has been no visible project on ground to vindicate them.
“The panel established a case of fraudulent diversion of Local Government funds to political godfathers in the state.
“It was discovered that over N10,433 658,452.00 billion was fraudulently siphoned, using the pseudo name, “Security, Environment and Training”.
“The 18 Local Government Area Chairmen contributed the amount to the account, using it as a conduit pipe to drain government resources, as monies were transferred from there to various individuals and companies.
“The panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 Local Governments Councils.
“The recommendations outlined in the report aim to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in the Local Governments finances.
Mismanagement Of Funds: Obaseki, PDP Leaders Indicted
“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”, he alleged.
However, Imohiosen also disclosed that the investigative panel encountered difficulties amidst the course of the findings, which consisted the submission of financial records by various Local Government Councils, incomplete submission of financial records.
Other difficulties include voluntary impediment of investigation by council personnel who were too rigid to cooperate on time, but came forward with cash-laden hefty bags to buy the panel members.
Reacting after receiving the reports of the panel, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo charged that law must take its course by letting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into the matter and persecute individuals indicted for allegedly syphoning funds meant for local councils−funds believed to be more than N95 billion.
Okpebholo vowed to petition the EFCC on the findings of the reports for quick persecution and that he would hunt those indicted in the looting to return the loot they have syphoned from the Edo State Government’s purse.
“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.
Mismanagement Of Funds: Obaseki, PDP Leaders Indicted
“We thank God for helping us to change the narrative to benefit Edo people. We also thank the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because without his support, we will not be witnessing the kind of development we are experiencing in Edo today.
“A lot has happened. The Peoples Democratic Party looted the treasury of the Local Governments and stole our collective patrimony, and nobody went after them or took action.
“This time, things are different. We will go after them and retrieve what they have stolen from Edo people.
“They will be made to pay for it. I will personally take this document to the EFCC and ensure that justice is done for this wrong done to Edo people.
“Besides the impeached Local Government Chairmen who were indicted by the report, former governor Godwin Obaseki, leaders of the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others, were also fingered.
“The days of financial recklessness and lack of transparency in public office were long over.
“Nigerians need to start demanding accountability from elected public office holders. This is the only way to fight corruption and ensure development”, he said.
It can be recalled that the Administrative Panel of Inquiry was set up on 18th, December, 2024, by Governor Monday Okpebholo to look into financial relations of the deposed 18 Local Government Chairmen in Edo State.
Mismanagement Of Funds: Obaseki PDP Leaders Indicted