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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State Government has given an indication that once the ongoing investigations into Radisson Hotel and Museum of West African Arts, MOWAA, are concluded, it will formally submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to bring former governor Godwin Obaseki to book.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua who stated this in a statement at the weekend, stressed that no amount of hate mongering, propaganda and noise making will distract Governor Monday Okpebholo from his resolve to right the wrongs of the previous administration.
He disclosed that the State Government is currently servicing an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) of about N385 million monthly arising from a N25 billion capital market facility obtained during the immediate past administration for the Radisson Hotel project in Benin City, adding that the development has triggered a broader review of the transaction.
Afegbua explained that although Edo State continues to bear the financial obligation tied to the hotel project, questions have emerged regarding the project’s equity structure, expressing concerns over the the reported allocation of 80 percent equity to a private investor, with Edo State retaining 20 percent, despite its substantial financial exposure.
The Commissioner further disclosed that preliminary records available to the current administration indicate that the State raised the N25 billion facility in its name and commenced the project before a private investor was introduced midstream.
“The concern is not political; it is about understanding how public funds were deployed and how equity interests were structured in a project financed with state resources,” he said.
Afegbua stated that documentation reviewed so far does not clearly establish the scale of financial contribution, if any, made by the private investor prior to the equity restructuring adding that no evidence of a competitive bidding process had been identified at the time of assessment.
He explained that the review exercise also extends to other major projects inherited by the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration which included the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), saying that the review was with the objective of determining the state’s financial obligations, liabilities and benefits.
Besides, Afegbua stated that the Okpebholo administration’s actions were guided by due process and the need to strengthen transparency and accountability in public finance management, adding “We owe Edo people clarity on how their money was used. This is essential for planning, governance continuity and historical record”.
In apparent response to criticisms from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Afegbua said the government remained open to constructive engagement but urged political actors to allow institutional review mechanisms to function without distractions.
Commenting on power supply arrangements at Government House, the Commissioner clarified that Edo State has no ownership interest in Ossiomo Power Plant and has opted for alternative energy sources, including solar and BEDC services, as part of cost-saving measures.
The Commissioner explained that Governor Okpebholo has prioritised infrastructure delivery and funding interventions for public institutions, including Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Edo State University, Uzairue, as part of efforts to stabilise key sectors and called on all former public officials with relevant information to cooperate with ongoing review processes, saying that transparency and accountability remain central to good governance.
