Our reporter
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally acknowledged receipt of a petition urging an investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving the Edo State government under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The petition, filed by two prominent non-governmental organizations based in Benin City—Okpamakhin Community Initiative (OCI) and the National Coalition Against Land Grabbing and Deforestation (CALD)—has raised serious allegations concerning several high-profile contracts and financial transactions.
Central to the petition is the involvement of Mr. Asue Ighodalo, a prominent figure as head of the law firm Banwo and Ighodalo. The petitioners allege that the law firm has been intricately involved in numerous contractual and financial dealings on behalf of the Edo State Government, ostensibly under the guise of providing legal advisory services.
Among the contracts under scrutiny are three major projects: the construction of a shopping mall along Sapele Road in Benin City, the renovation of the Edo State Radisson Hotel located in G.R.A, Benin City, and the establishment of the Edo State Modular Refinery in Ikpba-Okha L.G.A. of Edo State.
The petitioners have expressed concerns over the financial prudence and adherence to due process in these contracts. For instance, they question the award and subsequent variations in contracts related to the Radisson Hotel project, which reportedly escalated from an initial sum of N19.6 billion to over N23 billion.
They also highlight discrepancies in the payments made for legal advisory services provided by Banwo & Ighodalo, amounting to significant sums.
Furthermore, the petition raises issues surrounding the ownership and transformation of the Edo State Modular Refinery into a private entity allegedly owned by Mr. Michael Osime, chairman of AIPCC Energy, despite its initial establishment with state funds.
Martin Omo-Ighekare, a notary, filed the comprehensive petition with the EFCC on behalf of OCI and CALD, urging the commission to investigate the roles played by key officials including Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Accountant General of Edo State, and the Commissioner of Finance.
They also called for scrutiny into the activities of Mr. Ugo, responsible for managing the State’s electronic government server, amid concerns of data tampering after the upcoming gubernatorial elections.
The EFCC has indicated that it will commence an immediate investigation into these allegations to ascertain the veracity of the claims and determine whether any financial malpractice or fraud occurred within the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
