10th October, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Following an alleged plot to illegally withdraw the sum of N18 million from one the accounts of Oredo local government council, the Councillors of the local government have allegedly ordered the freezing of all the council’s accounts.
P.M. NEWS recalls that the Council Chairman, Osaro Obazee and three other council chairmen in the state, were last Wednesday suspended from office for two months over alleged diversion of funds, non-payment of salaries without explanation, illegal recruitment, illegal diversion of funds, among others.
The illegal withdrawal plot was said to have been uncovered by a staff of the council who angrily stormed the cashier’s office to demand for payment of his salaries.
He was said to have sighted some backdated signed cheques at the cashier’s office and raised an alarm which led to top officials of the council getting to know about the incident.
Sources at the council said the cashier said the N18 million was in a secret account and it was meant for the payment of some already executed contracts.
Consequently, the councillors who were said to be angry over the poor financial situation of the council, summoned an emergency meeting and ordered all the council’s accounts frozen, following a motion moved by Emmanuel Tongo and seconded by Henry Ukato.
The Leader of the council’s legislative House, Ernest Edebiri, told journalists in Benin that the Director of Finance and Treasury has been invited to appear before the House to explain what led to the “indiscriminate issuing of cheques”.
Meanwhile, the council officials allegedly involved in the failed plot have been reportedly summoned by the State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.