The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the activities of the 18 suspended local government council chairmen in Edo State. This development follows the suspension of the chairmen by the State House of Assembly, with the EFCC now seeking clarification on certain matters related to their time in office.
On Thursday, the EFCC sent a letter to the Secretary to the State Government, requesting the suspended chairmen to attend an interview.
The letter, addressed through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs, stated, “The Commission is investigating a case in which the need to request certain clarifications from the 18 local government chairmen has become imperative.”
The EFCC has asked the chairmen to report to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission at 10:00 a.m. The letter specified that the chairmen of Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, Esan West, Etsako Central, Etsako East, and Etsako West should attend on Thursday, December 19, 2024, while their counterparts from Igueben, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Owan East, Owan West, and Uhunmwode are to appear on Friday, December 20, 2024.
The chairmen have been instructed to bring Certified True Copies of documents related to their staff strength, payroll, and other relevant records.
This development follows the suspension of the chairmen by the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, following a letter from Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Governor accused the chairmen of gross misconduct and insubordination, citing their failure to submit the financial statements of their councils within 48 hours, as earlier directed by the state government.
Subsequent to their suspension, the state government established an investigative panel to probe the chairmen’s activities. Governor Okpebholo, while inaugurating the panel, emphasized that accountability and transparency are the cornerstones of good governance.
He described the chairmen’s refusal to submit their financial statements as a breach of public trust, which led to their suspension. The panel is chaired by Solomon Imohionsen, a retired permanent secretary and former general manager of the Nigerian Observer.
