Oshiomhole allegedly used N10b to build mansion which was designed and constructed by Verissimo in Iyamho, Edo State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is on the trail of Ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole over allegations of fraud levelled against him.
According
to Leadership, the former Governor has been accused of inflating
contracts and diverting billions of Naira while in office.
According
to reports, Oshiomhole allegedly used N10b to build mansion which was
designed and constructed by Verissimo – a South African architect in
Iyamho, Edo State.
These
allegations were contained in a petition written by two concerned
citizens of Edo, Dr. Osadolor Ochei and Comrade Kola Edokpayi.
A source in the EFCC said “The
petition will be properly and thoroughly investigated; nobody is under
special protection from anybody or our agency because of his membership
of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) or not. We will prove some
cynics wrong by doing justice to this petition.’’
An excerpt of the petition reads:
“As earlier reported by some newspapers, the sprawling mansion has
swimming pools, water fountains, multiple theatres for cinema and live
performances; huge event halls, bridges, manmade lakes, lodges of
different sizes amongst others.
“Recent
aerial photographs revealed that he has also constructed a Helipad
within the vast estate. The size and scope of the mansion, completely
negates all possible explanations for the source of Oshiomhole’s fund,
which he had used for the construction.
“We
hold strong view that the allocation of Edo State government land in
Okoro Otun Avenue by Oshiomhole to himself amounts to insider’s deal,
which is a violation of the oath of office he subscribed to as governor.
“The
N23million that Oshiomhole paid for the Okoro Otun land is certainly
not from his salary that is about N600,000 per month. The contractor
constructing his new home also got the contract for the construction of
the controversial new Central Hospital.
‘’Our
investigation shows that Oshiomhole bought the Guinness Guest House
located along Reservation Road, GRA Benin City—-soon after he was sworn
in as governor in 2009. We are reliably informed that Governor Adams
Aliu Oshiomhole bought the building for over N100million.’’
The petitioners also added that “Governor
Oshiomhole also awarded the contract and the payment in a week for the
construction of 168 Hotel Rooms in Edo University Iyamho at the sum of
N1.680billion. The average cost per room translates to N10million per
hostel room.
“The firm, A & K
Construction Limited was also awarded additional contract worth
N12,282,852,413.69 to construct Edo State Teaching Hospital at the
University of Science and Technology, Uzairue, Edo State (Iyamho
University).
“On April 11, 2011,
Governor Adams Oshiomhole went ahead to borrow N25billion from the
capital market through the issuance of bond. While presenting an FCMB
Cheque of N6billion to the Mr. Saad, Managing Director of Hitech
Construction on March 2, 2011, Oshiomhole listed several roads as part
of the first phase of the Storm Water Project to include Adolor College
Road, Textile Mile Road, Otote Road, Uwelu Road, Akugbe Street, Iyoba
areas among others.
“These roads
are still earth roads today; just as the Storm Water Project had been
abandoned by Hitech and the gullies they left has killed over six
persons, including children. We are also aware that when Adams
Oshiomhole went to the capital market to borrow 25billion facilitated by
Godwin Obaseki’s Afrivest company; the purpose of the loan was not just
the storm water project but also included a power project.
“The
Azural Power Project has since started in Edo State but without the
government being a major investor apart from the paltry shares given to
it by the promoters as compensation for the land acquired.”
Adams Oshiomhole's tenure as the Governor of Edo state ended in November 2016.
The former Governor was commended by President Buhari for doing a great job of transforming the state.
No comments:
Post a Comment