Edo State Governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, has suspended two prominent state officials, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, as well as the Chairman of the State’s Local Government Service
Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani, amid serious allegations of financial and official misconduct. The suspensions were announced in a statement late Wednesday night, issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Umar Musa Ikhilor.
The statement, which came as a surprise to many, confirmed that the suspensions of the two top officials were effective immediately.
The suspension was described as a necessary measure to allow for a thorough investigation into the allegations of “grave official and financial infractions” leveled against them.
“The suspension of Hon. Damian Lawani and the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice became necessary to enable the Government to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them,” the statement said.
“They are to remain suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
In response to the suspensions, Governor Okpebholo has ordered the establishment of an Investigative Committee to probe the allegations and make recommendations based on the findings.
The committee will scrutinize the extent of the alleged infractions, and determine the necessary course of action once the investigation is concluded.
The statement from the SSG did not go into detail about the nature of the financial infractions or official misconduct.
In a swift response, the suspended Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, denied all allegations of financial misconduct.
In a personal statement issued shortly after his suspension was announced, Osagie expressed his dismay at the accusation, categorically denying any involvement in financial fraud or wrongdoing.
He insisted that he had not been confronted with the allegations prior to his suspension and vowed to clear his name.
“My attention has just been drawn to a Government special announcement dated 5th February, 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,” Osagie said in his statement.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not and was never involved in any financial dealing 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.”
Osagie went on to emphasize his commitment to defending his integrity, stating, “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 suspensions come at a time of heightened political tension in the state, with observers questioning the underlying reasons behind the allegations.
While the details of the alleged infractions remain unclear, the swift establishment of an Investigative Committee signals the seriousness with which the Okpebholo administration is treating the matter.
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