By Simon Ebegbulem
BENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has been urged to submit the report of the Judicial Panel set up to probe the activities of the suspended Akoko Edo Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Johnson Emasealu, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

A group, Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, in a statement in Benin,  shortly after its meeting, said it would be wasteful for the Governor to withhold the report of the committee without taking further action on it, adding that the committee indicted the suspended chairman for alleged corruption and inflation of contracts in the council, therefore the report needed to be forwarded to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The statement by the Executive Director of the group, Alhaji Dada Akpeji, however, hailed the efforts of Governor Oshiomhole in his decision to suspend Emasealu for alleged corruption, adding  “we salute your courage and hope that the Almighty God will give you the political will to drive your reforms through in Edo State.

“We call on you (Oshiomhole), to submit the report of the judicial panel set up to probe the activities of Emasealu in office as the Chairman of the local government area to the EFCC for possible prosecution, to serve as deterrent to other council chairmen.

We owe our people the task of making government responsible to them. We cannot,  therefore, feign ignorance of the on-going developmental efforts of Oshiomhole against the looting that has become the hallmark in our councils. For posterity, the alleged financially reckless of the government of Emasealu should not be swept under the carpet.

“There are grievous reports of alleged misappropriation of funds by Emasealu and contract inflation. Governor, Sir, we thank you for your cleansing therapy,  smarting from your avowed commitment to fight corruption and instill into our growing democracy, the culture of integrity, accountability, due process, value for money and transparency.”

The group urged the people of Akoko Edo to be vigilant over their leaders.