The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has suspended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Damian Lawal, over allegations of financial infractions.
The suspension, which was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday evening by the Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor Esq., takes immediate effect.
According to the statement, Governor Okpebholo also directed the establishment of a panel to investigate the allegations against Osagie and Lawal and make appropriate recommendations to the governor.
The statement reads, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Damian Lawal, and the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Samson Osagie, over allegations of grave official and financial infractions. The suspension is with immediate effect.
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“Consequently, the Governor has ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to look into the allegations leveled against them and make appropriate recommendations.
“The suspension of Hon. Damian Lawal and the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice became necessary to enable the government carry out a thorough investigation of the financial infractions leveled against them. They are to remain suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation.”
Meanwhile, the suspended Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, has denied the allegations of financial misconduct. He made the denial in a statement he personally signed on Thursday morning.
Osagie criticised the state government for failing to confront him with any allegations before his suspension was made public and denied involvement in any financial infractions.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not and have never been involved in any financial dealings with anyone, nor have I committed any financial infraction of any kind.
“I was also not confronted with the said allegations by anyone before my suspension was announced,” Osagie said.
He, however, expressed his readiness to defend himself and protect his reputation, which he said he has built over the years.
