Okpebholo Establishes Panel to Investigate Obaseki’s Administration

Senator Okpebholo initiates a panel to probe Governor Obaseki’s government, aiming to uncover alleged irregularities. 

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has sanctioned the establishment of a 14-member committee dedicated to verifying state assets, with the goal of investigating former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.

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

He mentioned that the committee, set to be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Government House in Benin City, will have Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe as its chairperson.

“In support of the governor’s initiative to advance state development and ensure accountable leadership, establishing a State Assets Verification Committee has become necessary,” the statement read.

Despite numerous requests for a detailed database of the previous administration’s assets and liabilities, the government led by Godwin Obaseki offered only minimal and limited information.

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To fulfill the governor’s campaign pledge to promote integrity, accountability, and transparency in governance, a committee made up of esteemed individuals from Edo State has been established.

Anslem Ojezua will hold the position of deputy chairman, while Frank Edebor will fulfill the role of secretary.

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

In his inaugural speech on November 12, Okpebholo vowed that under his administration, there would be an investigation into the exclusion of 14 lawmakers from the State House of Assembly in 2019.

On Friday, the governor initiated an investigation into the state civil service recruitment conducted under Obaseki from May to November 2024.