The suspended Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, on Thursday vowed to prove his innocence, just as he denied committing any financial infraction as alleged by the state government.
The embattled Commissioner made the denial in a statement while reacting to his suspension by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
Osagie, who vowed to prove his innocence, added that he was never involved in any financial dealings with anyone nor committed any financial infraction of any kind.
The statement read in part: “My attention has just been drawn to a government special announcement dated February 5, 2025, in which I was alleged to have been engaged in financial infractions with the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission and therefore suspended.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not and was never involved in any financial dealings with anyone nor committed any financial infraction of any kind.
“I was also not confronted with the said allegations by anyone before my suspension was announced.
“I shall be ready, willing, and prepared to defend myself and prove my innocence in order to clear my name and hard-earned reputation, which I have laboured to build over the years.”
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice was suspended along with Mr Damian Lawani, Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, over allegations of grave official and financial infractions.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said the suspension is with immediate effect.
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In the statement, the state governor ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to investigate the allegations levelled against the duo and make appropriate recommendations accordingly.
Okpebholo added that the suspension of the appointees became necessary to enable the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them.
He said they are to remain suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.
