Metro

Okpebholo Inherited N682bn Debt From Obaseki Govt – Committee

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2025

The Edo State Asset Verification Committee has reported that the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki left behind a debt profile of N682.57 billion.

Chairman of the committee, Ernest Umakhihe, presented the findings to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Wednesday, revealing financial irregularities and questionable contract awards under the previous administration.

A review of the committee’s 3,900-page report showed that the debt inherited by Obaseki’s government in 2016 was N84 billion, meaning the state’s liabilities increased by over 900% during his tenure.

The committee said there were noticeable anomalies in the way contracts were awarded in the last administration and urged that all the contracts and Memorandum of Understanding be reviewed.

According to the report, the state government invested N19 billion in an ongoing hotel project but reportedly owns just 20%, while a company allegedly established in 2024 controls the remaining 80% despite not contributing any funds at the time of the agreement.

The report also noted that the past administration awarded 22 contracts worth N22 billion for ICT-related projects to 18 companies, with N17 billion paid as of November 2024.

The report also raised concerns over non-state actors managing the e-governance platform’s backend.

The committee flagged irregularities in several projects, including the modular refinery, the Museum of West African Arts, and the renovation of Stella Obasanjo Hospital, which was commissioned without being completed despite costing nearly N1 billion.

The report claimed that of the $75 million World Bank funding for basic education reforms, only $5 million reached the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, with just $2.5 million accessed before the project ended. The remaining $70 million was reportedly managed directly by Obaseki’s office under a “Performance for Results” arrangement.

The committee recommended, among others, forensic analysis and investigation on ownership of companies, enterprises, properties in Abuja, Lagos and other locations where Edo State had prior interest before Godwin Obaseki’s tenure, prosecution of indicated ex-officials, the blacklisting of indicted companies and full prosecution of contractors that ran afoul of the laws of the state and the full investigation of the Edo BEST programme, particularly the utilisation of the $75m from the World Bank.

Receiving the committee’s report at the Government House in Benin City, Okpebholo commended the team for their dedication and assured them that their recommendations would be acted upon.

“I appreciate the committee for a job well done and the time invested in this exercise. I understand the challenges you faced, yet you successfully carried out this crucial assignment. Rest assured that your findings and recommendations will be implemented appropriately,” the governor stated.

Umakhihe, on his part, emphasised that the findings were not just a reflection of past actions but a call to action for the future.

But when contacted, the Special Adviser to Obaseki as governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, denied the allegations, saying the committee was deliberately misinforming the public and misinterpreting what transpired in the Obaseki administration.

“For the benefit of the people of Edo State and the public, every activity of the government was in the report of the transition committee, which was handed to the new government. Everything raised in their so-called verification committee is nothing but falsehood and in the coming days.

“We will publish everything item by item for the people of the state to see. The Okpebholo government is in possession of everything that the Obaseki government did and what the committee is claiming is all false,” he said.

Related Topics:Edo State Obaseki Okpebholo

Up Next

Assault: Ogun Monarch Remanded In Prison Till Bail Conditions Are Met

Don't Miss

Violence Erupts Over Delta Community Election Delegate List Oborevwori, Four Sustain Machete Wounds

Comments

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.