The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has suspended two top officials from office due to allegations of grave official and financial infractions.
The affected officials are Damian Lawani, Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, and Samson Osagie, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, the suspension is with immediate effect and will remain in place until the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.
The Governor has ordered the establishment of an Investigative Committee to probe the allegations and make recommendations accordingly.
The statement noted that the suspension is aimed at enabling the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged financial infractions.
It stated that Lawani and Osagie will remain suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
In response to his suspension, Osagie released a statement denying any involvement in financial infractions.
He stated that he was not confronted with the allegations before his suspension and is prepared to defend himself and clear his name.
His statement reads: “My attention has just been drawn to a Government special announcement dated 5th 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 was never involved in any financial dealing with anyone nor committed any financial infraction of any kind. I was also not confronted with the said allegations by anyone before my suspension was announced.
“I will be prepared to defend myself and prove my innocence in order to clear my name and hard earned reputation which I have labored to build over the years.”
Edo Governor Suspends Top Officials Over Alleged Financial Infractions is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
