An Administrative Panel of Enquiry tasked with investigating the financial activities of the 18 impeached Local Government Chairmen in Edo State has accused former Governor Godwin Obaseki and the chairmen of being involved in an alleged ₦96 billion fraud.
The panel’s report revealed that extensive forensic investigations uncovered the mismanagement or diversion of substantial funds, totaling ₦96 billion, to private accounts.
Governor Monday Okpebholo received the panel’s findings over the weekend and has pledged to refer the matter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation. This follows the panel’s release of the report, which was commissioned on December 18, 2024.
Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, issued a statement confirming the development. The Chairman of the panel, Solomon Imohiosen, presented the report to the Governor, noting that the investigation revealed significant irregularities in the financial dealings of the 18 Local Government Areas. The report includes recommendations aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in local government finances.
The panel’s findings show that ₦95 billion was allocated to the 18 local government chairmen from the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) during the period under review. However, the funds were allegedly misused, as no substantial projects were executed to justify such a large sum.
Additionally, the report claims that over ₦10 billion was fraudulently diverted under the guise of “Security, Environment, and Training” to political benefactors in the state. This money was reportedly funneled through a slush fund set up by the impeached chairmen, used to transfer government funds to various individuals and companies.
The report implicates the 18 Local Government Chairmen, as well as former Governor Obaseki and influential members of the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting their involvement in the fraudulent activities.