Edo State probes illegal overseas visits

Abuja - Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has inaugurated a panel to investigate officials that allegedly travelled to Italy at the expense of the taxpayer without approval from the state.

Inaugurating the Committee in Benin City, Oshiomhole said his government’s decision was is in line with the Local Government Act. 

Barrister Osagie Obayuwana chairs the committee.

Senior officials Orhionmwon Local Government including the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillors of the area have been suspended following the trip to Europe.

“In line with the Local Government Act, when a local government official has misbehaved, we are obliged in law to set up an inquiry in order to give those who are accused of wrongdoing the opportunity to explain themselves. In accordance with the law, the House of Assembly has approved the suspension, while this inquiry is on, initially for a period of two months. I believe the issues are not so complicated that they cannot be established within the timeframe of the panel that is within a month or a month and half,” said Oshiomhole.

He said he learnt of the overseas trip by the suspended officials through media.

“It is now a matter of public secret that the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Councillors of Orhionmwan Local Government left the country allegedly to Italy all at the same time without anybody’s permission. I only got to know of it when I was watching news on TV and saw people protesting that the entire government was out of the country. I was concerned. I made some preliminary checks and found that there was some truth in it.”