Edo government to Okpebholo: Provide evidence of alleged looting of state assets

The Edo state government has asked Monday Okpebholo to provide evidence of alleged “last-minute looting” by the Godwin Obaseki administration.

On Thursday, Okpebholo, Edo governor-elect, accused the outgoing administration of allegedly obtaining last-minute loans from financial institutions.

The governor-elect warned financial institutions against approving loans for Obaseki and asked them not to engage in transactions that could jeopardise the state’s finances.

He also asked security agencies to “investigate the allegations thoroughly, hold the guilty accountable and protect government offices from vandals”.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, Crusoe Osagie, special adviser to Obaseki on media and communication strategy, described the allegations as “spurious and baseless”.

The Edo government challenged Okpebholo to provide the names of banks allegedly involved in the loan request.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.”

Osagie added that if Okpebholo fails to provide substantial evidence to support his allegations, he must offer an unreserved apology to the state government.