The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has been accused of diverting funds meant for education and other sectors.
A civil society group, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Obaseki, alleging the diversion of a World Bank loan and other funds meant to improve the education system in the state
The group claimed that Obaseki, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Joan Oviawe, and the Chairperson of Edo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Ozavize Salam, diverted $75 million from the World Bank loan and N129.12 billion approved for the education sector
In response to the allegations, the Obaseki-led government provided a detailed breakdown of its expenditures from January to June 2023.
The government spent N973,475,295.69 on "bank charges," N296,390,714.00 on publicity and advertisements, N425,768,967.40 on meals and refreshments, and N254,577,158.27 on cooking gas.
The government also spent N306,173,051.33 on postages and courier services and over N330 million on donations and gifts.
The 2023 budget in the state, tagged "Budget of Resilience and Transformation," had a capital expenditure estimate of N192 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N127.5 billion.