All bank accounts belonging to Edo be frozen indefinitely – Okpebholo orders
The Edo state governor, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Thursday directed that all bank accounts belonging to the state be frozen immediately until further notice while warning commercial banks, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately without further delay.
The Informant247 had earlier reported that the newly sworn governor of Edo State had on Wednesday, directed the suspension of all revenue collections in the state, particularly at motor parks and similar areas, with immediate effect until further notice.
The governor made this known in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Fred Ituah, in Benin City,
The governor warned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants, who flout the order would be severely punished.
The statement read, “All bank accounts in all the commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with the order and ensure that not a dime is taken out of the confers of government until there is further notice.
“Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with this order and ensure that there is a full compliance without any further delays.
“After the necessary investigations and reconciliations, the Governor will do the needful and decide on the way forward. For now, this order stands,” the statement read.
In another development, the governor has ordered the relevant government agencies to reverse the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to the Ministry of Works, conceptualized during the administration of the immediate-past governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
Governor Okpebholo said since no bridges or good roads were constructed by the administration of Obaseki, it is, therefore, absurd to maintain the ministry with such an identity.
“It is funny how you can call a Government institution Ministry of Roads and Bridges. Ironically, no single bridge was built by the same administration. Not even a pedestrian bridge.
“In the coming days, we will look at more actions taken by the previous administration, and more decisions will be taken that will be done in the best interest of the state,” the statement concluded.
Back story
The Informant247 reports that Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, were sworn in on Tuesday by the state’s Chief Justice, Daniel Okungbowa, at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had September 22, 2024, declared Monday Okpebholo winner of the Edo state 2024 governorship election.
Okpebholo was declared the winner after scoring 291,667 votes to beat his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. In comparison, Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata came third with 22,763 votes.
The State returning officer, Prof Faruk Adamu Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, declared Okpebholo the election winner.
Source: LEADERSHIP newspaper
