Okpebholo Sets Up Panel to Probe Obaseki’s Administration

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

The committee, set to be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, will be chaired by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, with Anslem Ojezua as deputy chairman and Frank Edebor as secretary.

Other notable members of the committee include Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, and Rasaq Bello-Osagie, among others.

According to a statement from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the committee’s formation is part of Governor Okpebholo’s initiative to promote development and accountable leadership in the state.

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The governor emphasized the need for transparency and probity in governance, explaining that the Obaseki administration had provided limited and insufficient information about the state’s assets and liabilities.

“Despite repeated calls for a comprehensive database of assets and liabilities, the previous administration only provided scanty details,” the statement read.

The committee is tasked with verifying and documenting the assets and liabilities of the previous administration in preparation for any further necessary actions.

The inauguration event will take place at the Festival Hall in Benin City at 1:00 PM.

This investigation comes after reports from permanent secretaries across various ministries raised concerns about the performance of the Obaseki administration.

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Sources within the state government revealed that the governor is still reviewing these reports to determine the scope of any further investigation.

“Under this administration, the interests of the people will always come first,” an anonymous official stated, indicating that the findings from the permanent secretaries will inform the next steps in the probe.