The immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has rejected the allegations of mismanaging N96 billion in local government funds, calling it a desperate attempt by his successor, Governor Monday Okpebholo, to justify his “unconstitutional onslaught” on local government chairmen.
Obaseki’s response came after an administrative panel of inquiry, set up by Okpebholo on December 18, 2024, indicted him, some local government chairmen, and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
The panel alleged that they mismanaged or diverted N95,080,676,687.86 in local government funds.
Obaseki argued that Okpebholo has no supervisory authority over local governments and cannot investigate elected officials.
He also pointed out that the local government chairmen have a stronger claim to their offices than Okpebholo, whose election is disputed and under review by the election petition tribunal.
Other individuals indicted by the panel include Newman Ugiagbe, chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government and State chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), as well as Ahonsi Ogiegbaen Osifo, Eric Agbonmwanre, Abraham Burma, and Dickson Imasogie Notiemwenmwan.