By FRANCIS ONOIRIBHOLO, Benin

A Group, under the auspices of Alliance for Collective Progress on Monday called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to probe the administration of former governor Adams Oshiomhole over the alleged fraud in the Edo Specialist hospital project.

It would be recalled that governor Godwin Obaseki had constituted a judicial commission of Inquiry, led by Justice James Oyomire (rtd.)in January 2020 to investigate the construction and supply of equipment for the Edo Specialist Hospital.

The panel indicted the administration of former governor Adams Oshiomhole for breach of the state’s Public Procurement Law.

Mr Nehemiah Omogiate, who led the protesters to EFCC said the call become necessary following the indictment of the former governor by a judicial commission of Inquiry.

“It was disheartening that the hospital was inaugurated with alleged borrowed equipment.”

“We are here to register our grievance concerning the multi billion naira Edo specialist hospital project, a project that president Muhammadu Buhari was deceived to inaugurate four years ago.”

“We are aware that the panel of inquiry set up by governor Godwin Obaseki has submitted its report and in the report, the former governor of Edo state, Adam’s Oshiomhole administration was indicted.”

“Up till now, EFCC has not done anything about it. So we are here to ask EFCC to act now because no one individual should be bigger than the law.”

“That hospital was commissioned four years ago without equipment. We learnt that the report indicted the former governor for mobilising the contractor with 75 percent of the contract sum which exceeded the 25 percent mobilisation fees for contractors”, he said.

The group thereafter called on the EFCC to commence investigation into the alleged financial crime in the construction and procurement of equipment in the hospital in the interest of justice and accountability.

The protesters carried placards with inscription; Oshiomhole has been indicted, EFCC charge him, Edo people are saying EFCC act now among others.

The Head of public Affairs EFCC Benin Zonal office, Williams Oseghale who received the protesters advised them to submit a written petition to EFCC for further action.

Oseghale said”I have head you and I am going g take your massage back to the Management but i advise that you also send us a written petition,”. he said.

In a related Development, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for good Governance and Internal Democracy said in press briefing in Benin that the report of the commission of Inquiry set up by the governor lacks merit.

The spokesperson of the group Solomon Idiogbe, said the composition of the panel reflects an underhand motive geared towards indicting and demeaning Oshiomhole.

According to Idiogbe, the constitution of the panel is not in all intent and purpose in the best interest of the people of Edo state. (Daily Independent)

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