By Benedict Aguele
Following a high powered meeting in Benin on Sunday, the Edo State Young professionals anti-corruption network, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), to probe Member representing Oredo West Constituency in the Edo state house of assembly, Hon. Chris Okaeben.
Speaking to newsmen after their meeting in Benin City Edo state, the Convener of the Young professionals anti-corruption network, Benedict Aguele, called on the anti-graft agencies to immediately probe Hon. Okaeben’s activities in the House of Assembly.
Aguele submitted, “I read with utmost dismay the revelations of the report from the Public Relations Officer (Comr. Edigin) of the Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOSCO), with the title: ‘Chris Okaeben Needs to be Watched Closely with BEDC’.”
He further posited that “it is a sad day in the history of Nigeria and the ‘Heartbeat of the Nation’, when the people’s representatives begin to take sides with one party in a complaint that borders on the welfare of the people, while going further to promote the position of this same party in a brazen manner.
The allegations of alleged corruption against the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Okaeben should, as a matter of urgency, be investigated by the anti graft agencies”
He expressed shock that an elected official would be so brazen in his anti-people stance and posturing as “Hon. Okaeben had never for once reprimanded, not even slightly, the activities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in its operations that have left paying customers very dissatisfied.”
And for the people of Oredo West, Aguele was of the belief that they“ are lucky that Providence has presented them with a unique opportunity to present the scorecard of Chris Okaeben’s disastrous performance in the House with their vote, as their liberation is indeed near”.
