Edo govt defends Osagie, Lawani’s suspension over financial infractions

Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Paul Ohonbamu, has defended the recent suspension of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Damian Lawani, over alleged financial infractions by Governor Monday “Akpakomiza” Okpebholo.

In a statement over the weekend in Benin City, Ohonbamu said that the action showed that Governor Okpebholo is a man of integrity and high moral principles who will not spare anyone found wanting in his government, no matter the senatorial district they come from.

The commissioner stated that Senator Okpebholo is in a hurry to make Edo the envy of other states and will not tolerate any obstacles on his path to transforming the state.

He said: “It was therefore not surprising to political pundits when the governor took the action against the suspended Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani, over alleged financial infractions.

“The decision to suspend them can be applied to everyone, irrespective of who they are and where they come from.

“They have been suspended to allow the panel to do its work, and if they are not culpable, they will return to their office.

“For the information of Edo people and the general public, the governor is a no-nonsense leader who is no respecter of anybody who runs foul of the law. It should be clarified that he is not against anybody or any particular senatorial district in the state.”

While stating that the governor will take action against anybody, even if the culprit is his brother, relation, or political party loyalist, Ohonbamu maintained that he can state categorically that the governor believes in conventional means of resolving issues, not self-help, and will not allow any wrongdoing to go unpunished.

“From the action taken on the suspended government appointees, the governor is sending the message to all government appointees to be transparent, shun corruption, and be committed to working towards developing the state. Anyone that cannot cope should leave office.

“The governor believes that any government appointee is in an enterprise of honorable but dangerous consequences. Therefore, they should not fall foul of the oath of their office because the appointment comes with responsibilities,” he added.

The commissioner disclosed that in the last one hundred days in office, the governor has taken some landmark decisions to change the narrative, placing the state on a new pedestal for socio-economic growth.

According to him, “the appointment of a retired Commissioner of Police to head the Edo Security Network (ESB) has paved the way for an improved and organized security outfit in the state, unlike in the past when it was not regulated.”

Sounding upbeat, the spokesman said that the ban on market unions in the state is stabilizing the prices of foodstuffs.

Ohonbamu noted that the governor saw the need for the Ramat Park flyover to reinvent commerce and boost business activities beyond easing vehicular movement in the area.