Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has suspended Damian Lawani, the Chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, and Samson Osagie, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, following allegations of serious official and financial misconduct.
The suspension, which takes immediate effect, was announced in a statement on Wednesday night by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor.
“The Governor has consequently ordered the establishment of an Investigative Committee to examine the allegations against them and to make appropriate recommendations.
“The suspension of Hon. Damian Lawani and the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice is necessary to allow the Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the financial misconduct allegations. They will remain suspended until the investigation is concluded,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the suspended Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, has denied the allegations of financial misconduct against him.
In a statement he personally signed early Thursday morning, Osagie criticised the State Government for not confronting him with any allegations before publicly announcing his suspension.
He strongly refuted any involvement in financial infractions with anyone.
“Let me state unequivocally that I am not, and was never, involved in any financial dealings with anyone, nor have I committed any financial infractions of any kind.
“I was not confronted with these allegations by anyone prior to my suspension being announced,” Osagie declared.
However, he affirmed his readiness to defend himself and protect his reputation, which he has built over the years.
