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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The suspension of the 18 Local Government Council chairmen in Edo by the State House of Assembly, has taken a new turn as the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday commenced investigation into their activities in office.
The EFCC in a letter addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, inviting the Council Chairmen through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government/Chieftaincy Affairs, said:”The Commission is investigating a case in which the need to request for certain clarification from the 18 local government chairmen have become imperative.
“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly inform and release the 18 LGA chairmen to attend an interview with the undersigned through ACE II Dare Folarin at The Commission’s Benin Zonal Directorate, No. 1 High Court Road, G.R.A. Benin Edo State, Nigeria at 1000 hours…”
The chairmen are required to furnish the anti-graft agency with the certified true copies of comprehensive documentations relating to staff strength and payroll and other documents.
On Tuesday, the state House of Assembly had suspended the councils chairmen from office, following a letter by Governor Monday Okpebholo which accused them of gross misconduct and insubordination, after they failed to submit the financial statements of their councils with 48 hours as requested by the state government.
Shortly after the suspension of the Councils Chairmen, the State Government inaugurated an investigative panel of inquiry to investigate their activities.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, while inaugurating the Panel which has a retired Permanent Secretary and former General Manager of the Nigerian Observer, Solomon Imohionsen, as chairman, said accountability and transparency were the cornerstone of any good governance.
He said the action of refusal of the chairmen to submit their financial statement as ordered by the Edo State Government is a breach of public trust, hence their suspension.
“As a leader, we must always scrutinize the welfare and confidence of our people, as Edo State will continue to set the standard for good governance. I hereby Inaugurate the Committee”, he said.
Imohionsen, promised that the Panel would be objective while carrying out their duties.
“The Executive Governor has the right under section 20 of the Local Government laws to dissolve the Council if the Chairmen, or Vice Chairmen are not contributing or performing their functions judiciously to the welfare of the people.
“We assure Mr. Governor that the committee will do her best and be objective and look at the law and all the circumstances and report back in respect of what we have been assigned to do”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State, Samson Osagie, has said that the lawmakers acted in order and that the outcome of the findings of the panel of inquiries set up to investigate the activities of the Council Chairmen will determine who finally gets axed among them.
