Shaibu warns against looting of government property ahead of handover

Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo state, has urged permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to prevent political appointees from looting state property.

Shaibu issued this warning as the administration of Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo state, slowly winds down.

Monday Okpebholo, governor-elect of Edo state, will be sworn in on November 12.

In a statement released on Friday, Shaibu called on the top government officials in the state to protect government property, stressing that they would be held accountable for any losses.

“The permanent secretaries and directors must know that it is their responsibility to protect the properties because these political aides (Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers/Assistants, and Senior Special Advisers/Assistants) are government appointees who are also leaving on November 11,” Shaibu said.

“So, the failure of Permanent Secretaries and heads of these MDAs to act means they will be held responsible for giving an account of their inventories. Removing fixed items and government properties is a crime and unacceptable.

“Permanent Secretaries and heads of MDAs should, therefore, guard against such criminality or face consequences. All political appointees must equally desist from such actions, which may land them in trouble.”

Shaibu’s comments come amid a period of tension between him and Obaseki, with their political disagreements making headlines in recent months.

Earlier this year, Shaibu was impeached by the Edo House of Assembly on charges of “misconduct, perjury, and disclosure of government secrets.”

However, in July, the federal high court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, nullified the impeachment, declaring it illegal and politically motivated.

The Edo state government has since filed for a stay of execution on the ruling.