Edo Panel Indicts Obaseki, Impeached LG Chairmen Over Alleged ₦96bn Fraud

An investigative panel in Edo State has indicted Governor Godwin Obaseki and impeached local government chairmen over an alleged ₦96 billion fraud. The findings could spark legal and political battles.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has obtained the report from the Administrative Panel of Enquiry established on December 18, 2024. This panel was tasked with investigating the financial activities of the 18 impeached Local Government Chairmen in Edo State between September 4, 2023, and November 2024. The governor has pledged to file a petition with the EFCC based on their findings.

Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, revealed this information in a statement on Sunday.

While submitting the report and recommendations to Governor Okpebholo over the weekend, Solomon Imohiosen, the Chairman of the panel, revealed that findings from forensic investigations uncovered that substantial sums totaling ₦96 billion had either been mismanaged or diverted into private accounts.

“The investigation by the panel revealed major irregularities in the financial operations of the 18 Local Government Councils. The report includes recommendations designed to tackle these problems and enhance transparency and accountability in their finances,” stated Imohiosen.

The statement indicated that the panel found ₦95 billion was received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) by the 18 Local Government Area Chairmen during the period under investigation. However, it concluded that these funds were not used appropriately, as there were no significant projects to account for the amount obtained.

The panel reportedly affirmed the illegal diversion of Local Government funds to political influencers in the State, claiming that more than ₦10 billion was fraudulently misappropriated under the guise of “Security, Environment and Training.”

The report allegedly asserts that the 18 Local Government Area Chairmen contributed to an account used as a channel to siphon government resources, with funds being transferred from there to various individuals and companies.

In addition to the impeached Local Government Chairmen who were reportedly implicated by the report, former governor Godwin Obaseki and leaders of a factional People’s Democratic Party (PDP), among others, were also allegedly named.