The Edo State Government has issued a one-week ultimatum to former Deputy Governor, Godwin Omobayo, directing him to return all government assets in his possession or risk arrest.
Omobayo, who served under former Governor Godwin Obaseki following the impeachment of Philip Shaibu in 2024, was accused of unlawfully retaining vehicles, documents, and other state-owned assets used during his time in office.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, said the former deputy governor had ignored multiple official requests to hand over the items, describing his conduct as “a breach of public trust and unlawful possession of government property.”
“Mr. Omobayo is hereby given seven (7) days from the date of this release to comply fully by returning all government property under his custody to the office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the statement read.
Itua warned that failure to comply would leave the government with no choice but to involve law enforcement authorities.
“If he fails to comply within the stipulated period, the Edo State Government will direct the Commissioner of Police to effect his arrest and recover all state assets through lawful means,” he stated.
Governor Okpebholo, according to the statement, reiterated his administration’s resolve to uphold accountability, transparency, and discipline in public service.
“No individual, regardless of political status or affiliation, will be allowed to retain property belonging to the people of Edo State,” Itua added.
The governor also urged the embattled former deputy to obey the directive to avoid embarrassment or legal consequences.
Sources in the Government House said the assets in question include official vehicles, confidential documents, and electronic gadgets used during Omobayo’s tenure.
The development marks the latest in a string of accountability measures introduced by the Okpebholo administration since it assumed office earlier in 2025, as part of efforts to “clean up” the system and reclaim public assets allegedly mismanaged under previous administrations.
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