The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the suspended chairmen of Edo State’s 18 local governments for questioning.

The development comes after the state House of Assembly suspended the chairmen and their vice chairmen on December 17, 2024, for alleged insubordination and misconduct.

According to the EFCC’s Director of Investigation, Abdulkarim Chukkol, the chairmen of Akoko-Edo, Egor, Esan Central, Esan North East, Esan South East, and Esan West local governments are expected to report to the commission’s office today, December 19, 2024. The remaining chairmen from Igueben, Ikpoba Okha, Orhionmwon, Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Owan East, Owan West, and Uhunmwode local governments are scheduled to report on Friday, December 20, 2024.

The EFCC has requested that the chairmen bring certified true copies of comprehensive documentation relating to staff strength and payroll, details of accounts where funds are received for payment of staff salaries, and statements of accounts from January 1 to date.

The commission said the summon is pursuant to Section 38(1);(2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Meanwhile, the suspended chairmen have dared Governor Monday Okpebholo and the state House of Assembly, insisting that their suspension is unconstitutional.

The chairmen, under the aegis of the Edo State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), claimed that their tenure would only end in 2025, citing a court order restraining the defendants from dissolving the democratically elected council executives.