The Edo State government has suspended Yakubu Musa, the chairman of Etsako West Local Government, over a N46 million-payroll fraud uncovered in the council.

Jimoh Ijegbai, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, revealed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

He said the government took the decision in the interest of the people of the council.

“At the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting held on May 28, Governor Godwin Obaseki frowned at the very high wage bill of the council which amounted to N66,652,527.52 million monthly, whereas Oredo Local Government with far more staff strength was paying N59,859,964.29 million to its staff monthly," Ijegbai said.

He said the governor directed the ministry to carry out staff audit in the local government.

According to him, at the end of the verification exercise, 63 staff of the council did not show up for the exercise thereby saving over N6,035,656.29)for the local government.

The commissioner added: “It was discovered that the authority of the council entrusted the council’s payroll to a grade level three officer who inserted two fictitious names on the payroll through whom the local government was defrauded of N46 million from July 2018 to May 2019. The case is currently being investigated by security agencies.”

Recall that another Council loyal to Adams Oshiomole, the APC National Chairman and former Governor of the state was recently suspended over issues bordering on alleged corrupt practices.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Edo people too ugly

You tell us what your perceived fine outlook brought you in life

when the going is good