Failed Agricultural Loans and Interventions: The Task Before Edo State Assets Verification Team

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By Reporter

The ongoing investigation of ex governor Godwin Obaseki and key members of his government over fraud involving the disbursement of agricultural loans and other funds from donor agencies, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), makes it imperative for the Governor Monday Okpebholo Asset Verification Team to make public the names of borrowers and debtors.

The team led by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe must also as a matter of public importance, physically locate the farms that such monies were disbursed for, especially as there have been accusations that majority of the beneficiaries are portfolio farmers who were political associates of the former governor.

Recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arrested key civil servants based on a petition that was sponsored by aggrieved farmers.

The commission invited the officials over loans and agricultural interventions granted to the state government by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

To demonstrate the seriousness of the Okpebholo’s administration, the Asset Verification Team must do everything possible to provide further evidences for the EFCC which Midwest Herald learnt, has obtained useful statement on the alleged fraud.

There should be no sacred cow too big to be exposed, especially as some chiefs and politicians who became emergency farmers obtained the loan that was reportedly domiciled in one of the new generation banks, without collateral.