More Troubles for Suspended LG Councils’ Chairmen in Edo as EFCC Summons them for Questioning

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For the embattled 18 local government councils’ chairmen in Edo State, it not only rains, but it also pours. Soon after their suspension by the state House of Assembly on Tuesday, and the setting up of a probe panel on Wednesday by Governor Monday Okpebholo to scrutinise their books, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) on Thursday entered the fray summoning the chairmen into its Benin Zonal Office for investigation into their activities.
The EFCC, in a letter addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG) inviting the chairmen through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs, said, “The Commission is investigating a case in which the need to request for certain clarification from the 18 local Government Chairmen have become imperative.
“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly inform and release the 18 Local Government Chairmen to attend an interview with the undersigned through ACE II Dare Folarin at the Commission’s Benin Zonal Directorate, No. 1 High Court Road, G.R.A. Benin, Edo State, Nigeria at 1000 hours.
“The Chairmen of Akoko- Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan Northeast, Esan Southeast, Esan West, Etsako Central, Etsako East & Esako West should report on Thursday 19th December 2024 while lgueben, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia Northeast, Ovia Southwest, Owan East, Owan West and Uhunmwode Local Government Councils report on Friday 20th December 2024”.
TELL however observed that Oredo local government council chairman was conspicuously missing from the EFCC list.
The Chairmen were asked to come along with the Certified True Copies of comprehensive documentations relating to staff strength, payroll and other documents.
Curiously, the EFCC is inviting the council bosses through the same state government with which they are in conflict, and which has also inaugurated a probe panel to investigate the books of the local government chairmen.
Recall that the State House of Assembly had on Tuesday suspended the local government councils’ chairmen from office, following a letter to it from Governor Monday Okpebholo complaining of gross misconduct and insubordination, after the chairmen failed to comply with his 48 hours ultimatum, effective December 3, to submit the financial statements of their Councils to the Assets Verification Committee through the office of the SSG.
Governor Okpebholo, while inaugurating the probe panel which has a retired Permanent Secretary and former General Manager of the Nigerian Observer, Solomon Imohionsen, as Chairman, noted that accountability and transparency were the cornerstone of any good governance.
He described the refusal of the chairmen to submit their financial statements as ordered by the state government as a breach of public trust, hence their suspension.
According to Governor Okpebholo, “As a leader, we must always scrutinise the welfare and confidence of our people, as Edo State will continue to set the standard for good governance. I hereby inaugurate the Committee”.
Responding, Imohionsen, chairman of the panel, promised that they would be objective while carrying out their assignments.
Imohionsen, a lawyer, said “The Executive Governor has the right under section 20 of the Local Government laws to dissolve the councils if the chairmen, or vice chairmen are not contributing or performing their functions judiciously to the welfare of the people.
“We assure Mr. Governor that the committee will do her best and be objective and look at the law and all the circumstances and report back in respect of what we have been assigned to do”.
Meanwhile, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, insisted that the actions of the lawmakers were in order, stressing that the outcome of the findings of the panel of inquiry would determine who finally gets axed among them.