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Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi
The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the fraudulent activities and financial recklessness that led to the suspension of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani.
In a statement on Thursday, the state chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi, said the suspension of the duo validated the PDP’s concerns about reckless financial mismanagement.
The drama unfolded on Wednesday as the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, suspended both officials over alleged official and financial infractions.
In a letter dated February 5, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, Okpebholo also ordered the establishment of a committee to investigate the allegations against them and make appropriate recommendations.
Ikhilor stated that they would remain suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The letter read: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani, and the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, over allegations of grave official and financial infractions. The suspension is with immediate effect.
“Consequently, the Governor has ordered the establishment of an investigative committee to examine the allegations against them and make appropriate recommendations.
“The suspension of Hon. Damian Lawani and the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice became necessary to enable the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of financial infractions. They are to remain suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
On Thursday, Osagie denied any financial wrongdoing, stating that he was prepared to defend himself.
He said, “My attention has just been drawn to a government special announcement dated 5 February 2025, in which I was alleged to have been engaged in financial infractions with the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission and therefore suspended.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not, and have never been, involved in any financial dealings with anyone, nor have I committed any financial infraction of any kind.
“I was also not confronted with the said allegations before my suspension was announced.
“I am prepared to defend myself and prove my innocence in order to clear my name and hard-earned reputation, which I have laboured to build over the years.”
Speaking further, Aziegbemi said the suspension of the duo over allegations of grave financial infractions validated the PDP’s concerns about reckless financial mismanagement, maladministration, and illegality under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo.
He added, “These findings merely scratch the surface of systemic corruption, misappropriation of public funds, and blatant legal violations occurring right under the governor’s watch. Despite these suspensions, only a thorough investigation can reveal the full extent of the corruption and organised theft committed by these disempowered politicians, who have regained control of public finances in just 85 days of Okpebholo’s administration.
“From illegally ousting duly elected council chairpersons using thugs to misappropriating funds intended for local government workers and mishandling revenue generation—resulting in a drop in the state’s internally generated revenue from about N8bn to N2bn monthly—the situation reflects widespread maladministration and entrenched corruption.
“We call on the Federal Government to urgently address this executive misconduct in Edo State, restore local governments to their duly elected officials, and uphold their autonomy to foster inclusive grassroots development. We also urge relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the military, the police, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate the fraudulent activities and financial recklessness characterising the government’s operations over the past two months.”
When asked for a comment, the state publicity secretary of the APC, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, said his party would issue a statement on the matter on Friday.
