Okpebholo freezes Edo state-owned bank accounts

48 hours after his inauguration, the newly sworn-in Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts.

In a statement released on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor indicated that the accounts would remain frozen until further notice.

___The governor also warned commercial banks and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the order immediately and without delay.

The statement noted that Okpebholo cautioned that anyone, including heads of MDAs and civil servants, who disregards the directive would face severe penalties.

“All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice.

“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay.

,,,,,,“Following necessary investigations and reconciliations, the governor will take appropriate action and decide on the way forward. For now, this order remains in effect,” the statement read.

The governor also directed relevant government agencies to revert the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its original designation, the Ministry of Works, a change implemented during the tenure of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

……However, Okpebholo ordered immediate compliance, directing that the new name be officially reflected.

“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge.

,,,,,,“In the coming days, we will examine further actions taken by the previous administration and make decisions that serve the best interests of the state,” the statement concluded.