Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the formation of a 14-member State Assets Verification Committee to investigate the tenure of his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. According to a statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the committee aims to ensure accountability and transparency in governance and will be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Government House in Benin City.

Chaired by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, the panel has been tasked with verifying assets and liabilities from the Obaseki administration, which allegedly provided only “scanty and limited information” on the state’s resources. “In furtherance of the governor’s initiative to set the state on the path of development and accountable leadership, the establishment of a State Assets Verification Committee has become imperative,” the statement emphasized.

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The committee includes prominent Edo State figures, with Anslem Ojezua serving as deputy chairman and Frank Edebor as secretary. Other members are Kassim Afegbua, Patrick Ikhariale, Taiwo Akerele, Patrick Idiake, Rasaq Bello-Osagie, Frederick Unopah, Abdallah Eugenia, Patrick Obahiagbon, Kenny Okojie, Lyndsey Tes-Sorae, and Abass Braimoh.

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to upholding transparency during his inaugural address on November 12. He also pledged to address the controversial exclusion of 14 lawmakers from the State House of Assembly in 2019.

In addition to the assets probe, Okpebholo recently directed an investigation into civil service recruitment conducted under Obaseki between May and November 2024. This follows the governor’s campaign promise to prioritize probity and good governance, reflecting his dedication to building a more accountable administration.