Former Edo State Commissioner for Information Andrew Emwanta has voiced grave worries over purported financial wrongdoing and mismanagement under Governor Obaseki’s watch. He disclosed that he saw major financial fraud during his time there, which raises serious concerns about the integrity of the government’s financial operations. The corruption was covered up as consulting fees.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
One notable incident highlighted by Emwanta involved a fraudulent purchase related to the Nigerian Observer. He claimed that a printer for the publication was acquired for over 1.5 billion naira, prompting inquiries into the current status and effectiveness of the Nigerian Observer. This extravagant expenditure is emblematic of what Emwanta describes as a broader pattern of financial misappropriation within the administration.
Emwanta also pointed to Asue Ighodalo, a consultant associated with the Nigerian Observer, who allegedly benefited financially from this arrangement. He emphasized the substantial profits that Ighodalo gained from the consultancy, further casting doubt on the ethical practices within the administration. Such financial arrangements raise alarms about accountability and the prioritization of personal gain over public service.
In addition to the issues surrounding the Nigerian Observer, Emwanta brought attention to discrepancies in a hotel project linked to the Esama of Benin. He claimed that while the property was purchased for a specific amount, the government has reportedly received over 12 billion naira in return. This significant discrepancy indicates potential mismanagement or misuse of public funds, adding another layer of complexity to the allegations against the Obaseki administration.
Despite these troubling revelations, Emwanta has chosen to remain relatively quiet on the matter until now. However, he stresses that his silence should not be misconstrued as a lack of awareness or understanding of the issues at hand.
According to him, “Asue Ighodalo was a consultant to the Nigerian Observer, and he made so much money from that process. The hotel they said they are building, they bought a property from the Esama of Benin for a particular amount, but they’ve collected over 12 billion. I’ve been quiet, but that doesn’t mean you should take our intelligence for granted.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
