ATIKU’S LANDSLIDE PRIMARY WIN SIGNALS DAWN OF NATIONAL RENEWAL — PRINCE MUSA BRAIMOH
May 28, 2026
PETITION FOR IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES, UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES, AND POSSIBLE BREACH OF PUBLIC FINANCE LAWS IN ETSAKO CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT
We, concerned stakeholders, taxpayers, and citizens of Etsako Central Local Government Area, hereby call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Auditor-General for Local Governments, the Edo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and all relevant anti-corruption and oversight agencies to immediately commence a thorough investigation into the financial activities of Etsako Central Local Government under the administration of the Acting Chairman, Hon. Cephas Muhammad Yakubu.
Available financial records and information in the possession of concerned stakeholders suggest a disturbing pattern of fiscal recklessness, possible abuse of public office, unauthorized expenditure of public funds, and apparent disregard for established budgetary and financial regulations.
It is alleged that while a budget of approximately ₦5.2 billion was approved for the 2025 fiscal year, over ₦3.8 billion was reportedly expended on projects, activities, and transactions that were not captured in the approved budget. More troubling is the allegation that such expenditures were allegedly undertaken without any duly approved supplementary appropriation, contrary to the principles of transparency, accountability, and due process in public finance management.
Stakeholders are further alarmed by reports that the council is currently operating and expending public funds in another financial year without an approved annual budget or appropriation law. If established, this would represent a grave violation of public finance procedures and raise serious concerns regarding the legality of expenditures, contracts, salary payments, recurrent costs, and other financial commitments being undertaken with public funds.
The absence of a duly approved budget creates a dangerous accountability vacuum, exposing public resources to potential misuse, abuse, and expenditures carried out without legislative authorization. No democratic institution should operate outside the framework of an approved budget, as doing so undermines transparency, fiscal discipline, and public trust.
Stakeholders are demanding answers to the following critical questions:
1. Under what legal authority were billions of naira allegedly spent outside the approved budget?
2. Was any supplementary appropriation presented, debated, and approved before these expenditures were incurred?
3. Who authorized the alleged expenditures?
4. What specific projects, contracts, and payments account for the funds reportedly expended?
5. Were procurement procedures followed in accordance with applicable laws?
6. Why is the council allegedly operating and spending public funds in a new financial year without an approved budget?
7. Has any appropriation bill for the current financial year been presented, considered, or approved by the appropriate legislative authority?
8. What legal framework is being relied upon for the payment of salaries, allowances, contracts, overheads, and recurrent expenditures in the absence of a valid appropriation?
9. Who bears responsibility for authorizing expenditures allegedly made without legislative approval?
The people of Etsako Central deserve transparency, not secrecy. Public funds are not private resources to be spent at the discretion of any individual or group. Every kobo belonging to the people must be accounted for.
We therefore urge the EFCC, ICPC, Auditor-General, and all relevant authorities to immediately:
– Conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of Etsako Central Local Government accounts.
– Investigate all payments allegedly made outside approved budgetary provisions.
– Investigate the legality of expenditures allegedly undertaken without an approved budget for the current financial year.
– Review all contracts awarded and funds disbursed during the period under review.
– Identify and prosecute any individual found culpable of financial misconduct, abuse of office, or violations of public finance regulations.
– Recover any public funds found to have been improperly expended.
Stakeholders possess documentary evidence and are prepared to cooperate fully with investigators by providing relevant records and testimony before any competent authority.
This petition is not motivated by politics, personal interests, or vendetta. It is driven by the collective demand for accountability, transparency, and responsible management of public resources. The people of Etsako Central will not remain silent while serious questions concerning the stewardship of billions of naira remain unanswered.
The continued expenditure of public funds without clear budgetary authorization, if proven, strikes at the very heart of democratic governance and fiscal accountability. The public deserves immediate answers, and the relevant authorities must act without delay.
Justice, accountability, transparency, and strict adherence to the rule of law must prevail in Etsako Central Local Government Area.This wording makes the allegation about operating a new financial year without an approved budget much more prominent while still presenting it as a matter for investigation rather than an established fact.
