The Edo State Government on Friday gave Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect, 48 hours to substantiate the looting and vandalisation allegations he levelled against the government.
Senator Okpebholo had accused Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration of taking unscrupulous loans from banks and other financial institutions. Okpebholo, who alleged the looting of government funds by officials of the outgoing administration, also accused government officials of looting public properties including vehicles, furniture and rice.
This was contained in a statement issued by Okpebholo on Wednesday, in which he called on relevant authorities including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, police and Department of State Services to investigate the allegations.
The statement reads in part, “With a great shock, we regret the widespread reports of looting of government funds and properties by officials of the outgoing administration from the Government House, Benin City.
According to the governor-elect, “barely one month to hand over, the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki is still allegedly obtaining loans from banks and other financial institutions under very shady headings”.
He also accused the current administration of looting and vandalizing government vehicles, furniture, gadgets, household utensils and even carpets in offices and residences of the state government.
Okpebholo added that the incoming administration will continue to monitor the situation until the last day of the outgoing administration. ...Read Full Article [Click Here>]
However, the government in a statement on Friday through the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, challenged Okpebholo to provide the names of banks from which the government has taken any loans in the last three months, according to his allegations or any other evidence to validate his claims.
He said, “The Edo State Government is giving a 48-hour ultimatum to Senator Monday Okpebholo to provide verifiable proof to substantiate his claims that government officials are looting and vandalising assets in the state.
“We are a very serious government and there is no room for such spurious and unfounded allegations which is why we are demanding that Okpebholo and his handlers should within the next 48 hours provide credible and verifiable proof to substantiate their claims.
“Okpehbolo must understand that the business of governance in Edo State is very serious, and the office of Governor is not for palace jesters.
“It is on this ground that we demand that he, within the next 48 hours, provide empirical evidence to substantiate his spurious looting allegations against the state government.
“Otherwise, he must tender an unreserved apology to the State Government.”
