The Edo State Government is set to investigate the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
A statement by Governor Monday Okpebholo’s spokesperson , Fred Itua released on Sunday said the governor would inaugurate a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.
Itua said Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe would head the Committee while Anslem Ojezua will serve as deputy chairman, and Frank Edebor will act as secretary.
Other members of the committee are Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Fredrick Unopah, Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.
The statement said, “In furtherance of the governor’s initiative to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership, the establishment of a State Assets Verification Committee has become imperative.
“Despite repeated calls for a comprehensive database of the assets and liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government provided only scanty and limited information.
“In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability, and transparency in governance, a committee comprising respected sons and daughters of Edo State has been constituted.”
It would be recalled that on November 20, the State government said it might probe the previous administration after receiving reports from the permanent secretaries of various ministries in the state.
An anonymous government official, revealed that the governor was still being briefed by the permanent secretaries to assess the performance of the Obaseki-led administration.
The official said, “The governor is reviewing reports from the permanent secretaries of various ministries to evaluate the immediate past government. These findings will determine whether to initiate a probe and, if so, the scope of the investigation.
“However, under this administration, the people and their interests will always come first,” the official added.
