SaharaReporters previously reported that the state government announced the suspension of Osagie, along with Damian Lawani, Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, due to allegations of ‘grave official and financial infractions.’
Suspended Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, has refuted allegations of financial infractions, asserting his innocence.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Benin, Osagie said he was never involved in any financial wrongdoing and was not confronted with any allegations before his suspension.
“My attention has just been drawn to a government special announcement in which I was alleged to have been engaged in financial infractions with the Chairman of the Local Government service commission and therefore suspended.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not and was never involved in any financial dealing with anyone nor committed any financial infraction of any kind.
“I was also not confronted with the said allegations by anyone before my suspension was announced.
“I shall be ready, willing, and prepared to defend myself and prove my innocence in order to clear my name and hard-earned reputation, which I have laboured to build over the years,” he said.
SaharaReporters previously reported that the state government announced the suspension of Osagie, along with Damian Lawani, Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, due to allegations of ‘grave official and financial infractions.’
The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, who made the announcement on Thursday morning in Benin, stated that Governor Monday Okpebholo approved the suspension with immediate effect.
“The suspension is with immediate effect.
“Consequently, the governor has ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to investigate the allegations levelled against them and make appropriate recommendations accordingly.
“The suspension of Osagie and Lawani became necessary to enable the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them.
“The suspension is pending the conclusion of the investigation,” Ikhilor stated.
The suspension came less than three months after Osagie was appointed as Attorney-General.
