The recently reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has issued a public warning about what he describes as widespread corruption and financial mismanagement within the outgoing administration.
At a press conference held in Benin City, Shaibu announced a reward of one million naira for anyone who can provide credible information regarding the alleged looting of government property as the current administration prepares to leave office.
During his address, Shaibu revealed that he had evidence of ongoing looting and unauthorized financial activities. He also expressed concerns about loans being hurriedly obtained from financial institutions in the final days of the administration.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate the alleged misuse of public funds.
He said “I have received disturbing reports of banks and other financial institutions, granting last-minute loans to Governor Godwin Obaseki. This is alarming, and not in good faith, and on that backdrop, I am issuing a strong warning to banks and financial institutions: do not grant any loans or issue financial instruments to Governor Obaseki or any official of the state government in whatever capacity or office.
“Also, information at my disposal shows there are last-minute plans to siphon the state’s funds using NGOs as a decoy, under the guise of supporting such organizations’ projects and activities.
These actions undermine our state’s financial stability and potential mortgage of the future of Edo State. I dissociate myself and my office from any such dealings.”
He said there were reports of indiscriminate and clandestine appointments into the civil and public service with outrageous grade levels and “I condemn these actions and dissociate myself and my office from any involvement. These appointments have not only undermined the civil service’s integrity but also perpetuated a culture of cronyism.”
He also alleged that fresh consultants’ appointments were being issued and backdated allegedly to justify outrageous expenditures.
Shaibu also alleged that government properties were being looted from various ministries.
“As the Deputy Governor of Edo State, I am inviting the EFCC and ICPC to look into the massive contract fraud that has taken place under the supervision of Engr. Ferguson Enabulele and the entire Government.
“Investigation is equally ongoing to unravel the alleged involvement of some Engineers in the Ministry, who agreed to assist the Permanent Secretary to keep such funds with their registered company accounts with banks and later convert such to US dollars.”
