EFCC invites suspended Edo LG bosses over alleged misappropriation of funds

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned all 18 suspended local government area (LGA) chairpersons in Edo state following allegations of financial misconduct.

According to sources within the EFCC, the probe was triggered by a petition from Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo state, accusing the chairpersons of failing to pay workers’ salaries for October and November. The petition also alleged that funds earmarked for the salaries were diverted for unspecified purposes.

Nine of the suspended chairpersons appeared at the EFCC’s Benin zonal office on Thursday, December 19, for questioning, while the remaining nine are scheduled to appear on Friday.

“The new governor submitted a petition alleging that the 18 LGA chairpersons failed to pay workers for two months and diverted the allocated funds,” the EFCC source said. “We’ve begun investigations, and progress is being made.”

Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, confirmed the commission’s invitation of the chairpersons but withheld further details.

The probe follows the Edo state house of assembly’s decision on Tuesday to suspend the chairpersons and their deputies for two months over alleged gross misconduct.

Blessing Agbebaku, the speaker of the assembly, stated that the governor’s petition to the assembly accused the chairpersons of refusing to submit their councils’ financial records, describing their actions as insubordination and misconduct. The assembly has since begun its own inquiry into the allegations.