Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the formation of a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate the handling of state resources during Godwin Obaseki’s tenure. The committee, chaired by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, will be inaugurated on November 26, 2024, at the Government House, Benin City.
The governor’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, stated that the committee’s mandate aligns with Okpebholo’s campaign promise of ensuring probity and transparency in governance. Okpebholo cited insufficient information on assets and liabilities from Obaseki’s administration as the reason for the probe.
Key members of the committee include Anslem Ojezua as Deputy Chairman, Frank Edebor as Secretary, and notable figures like Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, and Taiwo Akerele.
The investigation follows Okpebholo’s earlier pledge to review past controversies, including the exclusion of 14 lawmakers from the State House of Assembly in 2019 and recent civil service recruitments under Obaseki’s leadership.
“Accountability starts now,” Okpebholo asserted, reaffirming his commitment to transparent governance.
