Edo Assembly panel pledges fair probe of ex-speaker Agbebaku

A five-man ad-hoc committee has been formed by the Edo House of Assembly to conduct a transparent and fair investigation into its immediate past speaker, Blessing Agbebaku. The committee's chairman, Mr. Bright Iyamu, representing the Orhionmwon South constituency, stated after the committee's inauguration on Tuesday in Benin that the probe is a normal democratic process, not a targeted witch-hunt.

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I want to let you know that it is not a witch-hunt. What you are seeing today, I would say, is the beauty of democracy.

"In democracy, the people choose you, when they are also tired of you, they will say, okay, you can go, let's try somebody else. That is what happened," Iyamu explained. He acknowledged that the allegations against the former speaker are not yet fully proven but expressed confidence that the investigation would unveil the truth. Iyamu pledged to lead a thorough and open inquiry alongside the other four members, emphasizing their commitment to uncovering the real truth.

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In democracy, the people choose you, when they are also tired of you, they will say, okay, you can go, let's try somebody else. That is what happened.

The committee's scope will initially focus on the finances of the house, particularly the procurement of vehicles. "We will be looking at the finances, most times, finance is one thing that always causes problems in every organisation or institution. So, that is the first thing we will be looking at. We will be looking at whether a vehicle was bought or whatever, whether it went through due process or not," Iyamu stated. He assured the public that the process would be open and free from bias, despite his personal friendship with the former speaker.

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The allegations are not yet proven 100 per cent. I cannot measure some of them now, as we go forward, it will begin to unveil.

The investigation follows Agbebaku's resignation and suspension, which were prompted by allegations of financial impropriety and inflated costs in the purchase of official vehicles, including Lexus 570 SUVs and Hilux trucks, during his tenure. The committee has been mandated to submit its report within two weeks.

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For the former speaker, we are all one in the house of assembly but that does not mean we cannot do what we are asked to do.