Edo Govt threatens legal action over post against Okpebholo, commissioners

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State Government has threatened to institute a criminal defamation case against Mr. Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, over a social media post it describes as malicious and defamatory against the Governor Monday Okpebholo, and Commissioners in the State Executive Council.

The Government in an official letter signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson R. Osagie, dated June 8, 2025, warned that it would take both civil and criminal legal action against Mr. Ifaluyi-Isibor, if a public retraction and apology were not made within 24 hours.

The Edo Government while condemning the viral post circulated on June 6, 2025, alleging irregularities and incompetence within the administration, described the publication as baseless, malicious, and intended to bring the Governor and his cabinet to disrepute.

A statement on Sunday, by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, stated that “the controversial post reportedly claimed that the state government had only held three Executive Council meetings in eight months and accused the Governor of residing mostly in Abuja while manipulating contract awards from the capital.

“The author also alleged that state funds were being saved to pay for a Supreme Court judgment, referencing past contracts initiated by the previous administration.”

Quoting the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, the statement dismissed the claims as “completely false”.

It emphasized that Governor Okpebholo’s administration, which is not yet eight months old, has convened several Executive Council meetings, resulting in key developmental decisions, including ongoing flyover projects in Benin City.

“The demanded apology must be published across all social media platforms and in at least one national newspaper.

“This publication amounts to criminal defamation We intend to proceed against you through the security agencies for you to prove the criminal allegations you have made,” the Attorney-General stated.