...Says, EFCC, ICPC await you in your MOU's Dealings

A group known as concern Edolites on Monday challenged Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki to come out clean on his former Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele instead of hiding under unknown name to respond to Akerele’s calls for accountability on his administration for the past seven years.

In a press statement signed by Dr. Nosa Imafidon, the group asked Governor Godwin Obaseki why the delay in arresting his former aide if actually he was corrupt as alleged by the faceless Obaseki stooge and praise singer three years plus after leaving government.

Dr. Imafidon further asked Governor Godwin Obaseki to tell Nigerians, if as his faceless writer alleges, why has the government not prosecuted this young man three years after his exit from government with all the so-called phantom documentary evidence available to the state and with the humongous prosecutorial powers vested in the state. It’s a shame indeed.

The group further asked Obaseki to provide answers to questions the ex-COS posed. ‘if Taiwo Akerele, who is now a top consultant/advisor at a world bank assisted project in West Africa region was allegedly corrupt, who are his collaborators in government for instance who approved the monies for him? Do we have names of Civil servants or other top government officials involved in the corrupt act within the Obaseki led government? How much is involved? Are they ready to give evidence in court? Why was he allowed to serve for three meritorious years in office without any recorded or documented query of breach of any law against him?

"Do we have audit reports signed by the Auditor - General indicting his person? Do we have any state government petition to EFCC and ICPC over Mr. Akerele till date? The group recalled that Mr. Akerele also meritoriously and famously managed two World Bank projects in Edo state for 6 years before becoming COS, do we have any reports from the World bank indicting him for any infractions? If any can the state government share such with the public?

‘if Akerele was corrupt as alleged, why did Obaseki send several emissaries to go and appeal to him to change his mind about his decision including the former CSO government house, former aides to Obaseki, top Special Advisers, former Commissioner for Youths and former Special Adviser on Public order and security? What was the current NLC chairman Comrade Olaiye and others doing in Akerele's residence in GRA on the night of his resignation? Who sent them to beg Mr. Akerele to change his mind? Akerele’s house was a beehive of activities on the day of his exit from government as he didn’t run away from his house.

"What Obaseki and his crew of hired weaklings have simply demonstrated is pure vindictiveness, after - thought and inability to come to terms with the reality of the moral high ground upon which Mr. Akerele left the government."

Dr. Imafidon stressed that Obaseki doomed days are near and he can’t escape the wrath of Edo people. While waiting for answers on these issues, the people of Edo state are still waiting for the outgoing governor to prosecute Senator Adams Oshiomhole over the Benin Specialist Hospital, Prince Clem Agba over the Water Storm and now Taiwo Akerele over the after-thought corruption allegations against him. Since it appears that the Obaseki’s government’s only excuse for non- performance is to accuse 3rd parties of corruption. In the meantime, the group insisted that they are ready to give Edo people and Nigerians more revelations on how the governor has run the state on fake MUO's. The long arm of the law is waiting.