Metro

Okpebholo Inherited N682bn Debt From Obaseki Govt – Committee

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2025

Editor

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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.