The Edo State Government has granted Governor-elect Senator Monday Okpebholo 48 hours to provide evidence supporting his allegations of looting and vandalism against the government.
In a statement released on Friday by Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, the government also challenged Okpebholo to identify the banks from which he claims the government has taken loans in the past three months, or to present any other evidence to back up his assertions.
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He said, “The Edo State Government is giving a 48-hour ultimatum to Senator Monday Okpebholo to provide verifiable proof to substantiate his claims that government officials are looting and vandalising assets in the state.
“We are a very serious government and there is no room for such spurious and unfounded allegations which is why we are demanding that Okpebholo and his handlers should within the next 48 hours provide credible and verifiable proof to substantiate their claims.
“Okpehbolo must understand that the business of governance in Edo State is very serious, and the office of Governor is not for palace jesters.
“It is on this ground that we demand that he, within the next 48 hours, provide empirical evidence to substantiate his spurious looting allegations against the state government.
“Otherwise, he must tender an unreserved apology to the State Government.”
On Wednesday, Senator Okpebholo, through his Special Assistant on Media, Godswill Inegbe, raised concerns about alleged looting of government funds and properties by officials of the outgoing administration under Governor Godwin Obaseki.
He urged banks to stop issuing loans to the state government during the transition period and called for a thorough investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Department of State Security into these allegations.
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The statement read, “With great shock, we regret the widespread reports of looting of government funds and properties by officials of the outgoing administration from the Government House, Benin City.
“It is sad that barely one month to hand over, the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki is still allegedly obtaining loans from banks and other financial institutions under very shady headings.
“We are also aware of the massive looting and vandalization of properties, including vehicles, furniture, gadgets, household utensils, and even carpets from offices and residences of the Edo State Government.”
He added, “Banks and other financial institutions are, by this notice, cautioned to desist from any dealings that will undermine the finances of the state, especially giving out of loans to Edo state government at this period of transition.”
Okpebholo is set to take office on November 12 after the handover ceremony.
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