Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has established a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate the administration of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.
A statement from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, issued on Sunday in Benin, confirmed that the committee would be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 26.
The committee members include Dr. Ernest Umakhihe as Chairman, Anslem Ojezua as Deputy Chairman, and Frank Edebor as Secretary. Other members of the committee are Prince Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Fredrick Unopah, Mrs. Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Mrs. Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.
According to the statement, the committee was deemed necessary to steer the state towards development and ensure accountable leadership.
“Despite repeated calls for a more holistic database of the assets and liabilities of the previous administration, the Godwin Obaseki-led government came up with very scanty and limited assets and liabilities of the state.
“In line with the governor’s campaign promise to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in government, and to deepen the governance process, a committee made up of respected persons is to look into the books,” the statement read.
