An administrative panel set up by the Edo State Government has indicted former Governor Godwin Obaseki and 18 impeached local government chairmen over the alleged mismanagement and diversion of ₦96 billion in public funds.
The panel, which was inaugurated on December 18, 2024, investigated the financial activities of the local government councils between September 4, 2023, and November 2024.
Presenting the report to Governor Monday Okpebholo, the panel’s chairman, Solomon Imohiosen, revealed that forensic investigations uncovered large-scale financial irregularities. He stated that ₦95 billion was disbursed to the 18 local government councils from the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) within the period under review. However, the funds were allegedly mismanaged, as there were no meaningful projects to justify the expenditure.
The panel also discovered that over ₦10 billion was siphoned under the guise of “Security, Environment, and Training.” It alleged that local government funds were funneled into a separate account, which served as a conduit for diverting resources to political godfathers. The report further implicated Obaseki and leaders of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the alleged financial misappropriation.
Following the report, Governor Okpebholo vowed to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and take necessary legal action to recover the allegedly diverted funds. He assured that his administration would implement the panel’s recommendations to enhance transparency and accountability in local government administration.
