Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that he would petition the impeached 18 Local Government Chairmen in the state to the Economic and financial Crimes Commission EFCC.
The governor gave the assurance at Government House, Benin City, after receiving the report of a panel of enquiry which accused the council chairmen of financial misappropriation running into Billions of Naira.
Reading the findings of the panel of inquiry, Secretary to the Panel, Mr Osaigie Asabor, disclosed that following forensic investigations, the panel uncovered mismanagement and diversion to private accounts over 95 billion naira across the 18 local government from September 4th till date.
He claimed that the funds were proceeds from the Joint Allocation Account Committee JAAC as well as internally generated revenues.
Mr Asabor alleged that over 10 Billion Naira was traced to an account under the name of ALGON, were all the 18 local government councils contributed monies to, and transferred to private individuals.
He also alleged that over 7 billion naira was traced to 2 accounts in First Bank of Nigeria and Zenith International bank opened by former Orhionmwon Local Government Chairman, who was also ALGON Chairman at the time.
Mr Asabor gave names of some of the corporate bodies that received funds from the accounts and as well as names of some individuals indicted by the panel’s report.
Receiving the report, Governor Monday Okpebholo decried the lack of transparency that had characterized the Administration of Local Government, depriving Edo people dividends of democracy.
The governor assured that his Government will ensure that Justice is done in the matter and stollen funds recovered.
