By Israel Ajenu
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called for an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into the financial recklessness that led to the suspension of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani.
In a statement issued by the party’s state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, the PDP expressed concern that the suspension of the two officials highlighted what it described as the reckless financial mismanagement under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
“We also urge relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services, the military, the police, and the EFCC, to investigate the fraudulent activities and financial recklessness characterising the government’s operations over the past two months,” Aziegbemi said.
The suspensions occurred on Wednesday after allegations of financial infractions were levelled against Osagie and Lawani.
This brought the total number of high-profile state officials suspended by Okpebholo to three.
Just two weeks earlier, the governor had suspended the Executive Director/CEO of the State Flood Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Ahmed Momoh, for insubordination, following his involvement in an unauthorized turbaning ceremony.
In a letter dated February 5, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, the governor formed a committee to investigate the allegations against Osagie and Lawani and make recommendations. The statement added that the two officials were to remain suspended until the investigation was completed.
“The suspension of Hon Damian Lawani and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice became necessary to enable the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them. They are to remain suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the statement noted.
On Thursday, Osagie publicly denied the allegations, asserting that he had never been involved in any financial misconduct.
He expressed his readiness to defend himself and clear his name.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not and was never involved in any financial dealing with anyone nor committed any financial infraction of any kind. I was also not confronted with the said allegations by anyone until my suspension was announced. I will be prepared to defend myself and prove my innocence in order to clear my name and hard-earned reputation which I have labored to build over the years,” Osagie stated.
The PDP’s Aziegbemi called for a thorough EFCC investigation, emphasising that the suspension confirmed the party’s concerns about systemic corruption under the Okpebholo administration.
“These findings merely scratch the surface of systemic corruption, misappropriation of public funds, and blatant legal violations occurring right under the governor’s watch,” Aziegbemi said. “Despite these suspensions, only a thorough investigation can reveal the full extent of the corruption and organised theft committed by these disempowered politicians, who have regained control of public finances in just 85 days of Okpebholo’s administration.”
He further accused the state government of various forms of financial mismanagement, such as the illegal ousting of duly elected council chairpersons, mishandling funds for local government workers, and a drastic reduction in the state’s internally generated revenue from N8bn to N2bn monthly.
The PDP called on the federal government to intervene urgently in Edo State, restore local governments to their elected officials, and ensure their autonomy to promote grassroots development.
When reached for comment, the state Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, stated that his party would release its position on the matter on Friday.
[2/7, 08:02] Website: Police drop N1.3bn fraud charges against Obanikoro’s son, others
The police have dropped the N1.3bn fraud charges they filed against Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four others.
The decision was communicated to the Federal High Court in Lagos via a Notice of Withdrawal filed under Section 108(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
In the document, dated February 4, 2025, and signed by Chief Superintendent of Police Justin Enang, and sighted by our correspondent, the police did not specify the reason for the withdrawal of the charges marked FHC/L/902c/2024.
The document read: “Take notice that the prosecution hereby withdraws the above-mentioned charge against the defendants herein.”
The police had charged the defendants with five counts, bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, false representation, and fraud.
Listed alongside Obanikoro as defendants are Adejare Adegbenro, 51; Balmoral International Limited; M.O.B. Integrated Limited; and DDSS International Company Limited.
In the charge, marked FHC/L/902c/2024, the police accused the defendants of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses, and fraud involving the sum of N1,356,057,330.43.
The Inspector General of Police, through the Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, accused the defendants and others at large of conspiring amongst themselves between May and September 2013 to fraudulently obtain the sum of N1,356,057,330.43 from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank).
They were accused of allegedly misrepresenting themselves to the bank’s staff and officers, claiming they were involved in the business of importing cars from Dubai for sale in Nigeria, and that the money was needed to finance the importation of a set of brand-new cars for resale.
The defendants were also accused of converting, transferring, retaining, or taking possession of the funds, knowing or having reason to know that such funds were proceeds of unlawful activity.
Additionally, the police alleged that they unlawfully converted N1 billion of the bank’s funds for personal use.
The defendants were originally scheduled to be arraigned on January 26, 2025, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa.
The arraignment could, however, not go on as the defendants were absent from court.
Though the prosecutor, Momoh Bello, applied for a bench warrant against them, counsel for the fourth defendant ( M.O.B. Integrated Limited), Joshua Abel, opposed the prayer.
The judge later rescheduled the arraignment to February 27, 2025.
Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered on Thursday that the hearing to officially strike out the case could take place today (Friday).
