The Umbrella

Okpebholo, Shaibu connive to loot over N40bn from Edo’s treasury under guise of unpaid allowance, entitlements

…Shaibu wants N85m paid to wife, Maryann as hospital bills, treatment allowance

…to be paid N1.5bn for 3 Armoured Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, N1.5bn for 3 Toyota Hilux, N1.9bn as security votes

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo is conniving with the former State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu to loot over N40bn from the State’s treasury, it has been gathered.

According to findings, the monies will be allegedly paid into Shaibu’s account under the pretext of confiscated and unpaid allowances and entitlements due to him during his time as Deputy Governor between 2016 and 2024.

As part of the plans to move the money, Shaibu has approached an Industrial Court sitting in Abuja to seek the payment of over N40bn as withheld allowances and entitlements due to him during the times he Acted as Governor as well as those of his 8-year Deputy governorship seat.

Sources reveal that Shaibu had approached the governor asking for the money and both had come to agreement for the ex-deputy governor to approach the Industrial Court to get the orders and legal protection for the release of the funds, with a gentleman agreement that some of the monies will be funneled back to Okpebholo for facilitating the payment.

In the suit with number, NICN/Abj/133/2025 which was sited by our correspondent, Shaibu also sought the payment of over ₦85 million for his wife Maryann’s medical and treatment bills, which allegedly accrued between 2016 and 2024.

Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly, had on Monday, April 8, 2024, impeached Philip Shaibu following the adoption of the report of the seven-man investigative panel set up by the State Chief Judge to probe allegations of misconduct against the former deputy governor.

The investigative panel set up the EDHA was headed by Justice S.A. Omonua (retd.) and probed Shaibu on allegations of perjury and leaking of government secrets, ending its sittings with the former deputy governor refusing to appear before the panel.

He was however impeached by the vote of eighteen out of 19 members of the Assembly present at plenary, while one abstained from the headcount and voting process.

But Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had faulted the impeachment of Shaibu, which was immediately appealed by the Assembly and later set aside by the Appeal Court.

Shaibu has however approached the court seeking the payment of entitlements and allowances that he claimed were unpaid during the period of his sack and others while he served as deputy governor between 2016 and 2024.

He is also seeking the payment N1.9bn for Security Votes for his eight years tenure as the elected Deputy Governor of Edo State.

Shaibu will also receive from Okpebholo’s government N1.5bn for the three 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Luxury SUV (B64-Ultra-Lightwelght Armouring Level) and N1.5bn for three Toyota Hiliux.

Other payments to be made to Shaibu, according to court papers are, “sum of N11,588,220,907.07 (Eleven Billion, Five Hundred and Eighty-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand and Nine Hundred and Seven Naira, Seven Kobo) for the payment of the Claimant travel duty tour allowance and other statutory allowances and other statutory allowances due to the Claimant as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

“The Sum of N160,000,000 (One Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2016 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The sum of N530,000,000 (Five Hundred and Thirty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2017 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The Sum of N650,000,000 (Six Hundred and Finty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2018 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The Sum of N700,000,000 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2019 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The Sum of N1,040,000,000.00 (One Billion and Forty Million Naira Only) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2020 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The Sum of N725,000,000 (Seven Hundred and Twenty Five Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2021 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The Sum of N660,000,000 (Six Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2022 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The Sum of N1,352,000,000 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Fifty-Two Million Naira) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2023 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.

“The Sum of N345,552,72000 (Three Hundred and Forty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Fifty- Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Nalra) only as the Claimants statutory entitlement under the Edo State Year 2024 Approved Appropriation Law duly enacted by the House of Assembly under the administrative Code 0111100100200.”

Others are “The sum o N1,491,329,478 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira) for the three (3) 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Luxury SUV (B64-Ultra-Lightwelght Armouring Level) which each proforma invoice current price is N497,109,826.00 (Four Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, One Hundred Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty Six Naira) only being the price of each of the and three (3) 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Luxury SUV (B6-+Utra-Lightweight Armouring Level) due to the Claimant any other three (3) vehicles of equivalent amount due to the Clalmant as the Deputy Governor of Edo State for the period of Eight (8) years and by the Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor Laws of Edo State”

He is also entitled to “Three (3) of the aforesaid vehicle which total N1,491,329,478 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety One Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Nalra) and the sum of N75,144,508.00 (Seventy Five Miliion, One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Eight Naira) only being the price of Toyota Hiliux 4WD DC Shell Spec Automatic Transmission Petrol Fabric due to the Claimant as the former Deputy Governor of Edo State (2016 -2024) in line with the Pension Rights of the Govemor and Deputy Governor of Edo State 2007, 2016, which were the official vehicles of the Claimant before the expiration of his tenure in 2024.”

He will also receive, “The Sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) as the Clalmant entitlement for a house or a new house in a location of his choice in Nigeria in line with the Pension Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State 2007, 2016 amendment law 2023 of Edo State.

“The Sum of N85,000,000.00 (Eighty-Five Million Naira) only as outstanding hospital bills for Claimant’s wife for her medical treatment between 2016 – 2024.”

He also an order directing the defendants “to jointly and severally pay to the Claimant the total sum of N4,288,811.52 (Four Million, Two Hundred and Elghty-Elght Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eleven Naira, Fifty Two Kobo) as total unpaid salary due to the Claimant for a period of seven months (May – November 2024) at the rate of N612,687.36k (Six Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Naira and Thirty Six Kobo) monthly salary as Deputy Governor of Edo State

“To jointly and severally pay to the Claimant the total sum of N 485,171,000.00 (Four Hundred and Elghty-Five Million; One Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand Naira) only being the value of the Claimant’s personal belongings which were confiscated and withheld by the Defendants after the Claimant was forcefully ejected from his residence as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.”

He will also get, “The sum of N105,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Five Million Nalra) only being the approved Appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2017 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under institution’s code: 011100100200 and ministry code 011100100100 in page 68 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2017 Approved Budget.

“The Sum of N449,122,851.60 (Four Mundred and Forty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty-One Naira, Sixty Kobo) being the budgetary provision for personnel cost and overhead cost statutory entitlement of the Claimant

“The Sum of N700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) being the budgetary provision for personnel cost and overhead cost statutory entitlement of the Claimant for 2018.

“The sum of N54,000,000.00 (Fifty-Four Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2018 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under Institution’s code: 11100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 54 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2018 Approved Budget

“The sum of ₩472,797,216.47 (Four Hundred and Seventy-Two Million Seven Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixtee- Naira, Forty-Seven Kobo) only being the approved Appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2019 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under Institution’s code: 11100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 52 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2019 Approved Budget for the Claimants personal cost

“The Sum of N700,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred Million Naira) being the budgetary provision for personnel cost and overhead cost statutory entitlement of the Claimant for 2019.

“The sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2020 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under institution’s code: 011100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 56 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2020 Approved Budget.

“The sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) only being the approvec appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2021 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under institution’s code: 011100100200 and ministry code: 011100100100 in page 56 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2021 Approved Budget.

“The sum of N750,000,000.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) being the budgetary provision as reflected in page 50 of the Edo State Government Year 2022 approved budget.

“The sum of #600,000,000.00 (Six Hundred Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2022 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under administrative code: 011100100200 in page 50 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2022 Approved Budget.

“The sum of N1,300,000,000.00 (One Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2023 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under administrative code: 011100100200 in page 66 of Edo State of Nigerla Year 2023 Approved Budget

“The sum of #54,322,720.54 (Fifty Four Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira, Fifty Four Kobo) only being the approved appropriation entitlement of the Claimant by the 2024 Edo State Budgetary expenditure under administrative code: 011100100200 in page 62 of Edo State of Nigeria Year 2024 Approved Budget:

“The total sum of N81,630.000.00 (Eighty-One Million, Six Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2016.

“The total sum of N445,142,185.30 (Four Hundred and Forty-Five Million, One Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-Five Naira, Thirty Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2017.

“The total sum of N317,035,096.00 (Three Hundred and Seventeen Million and Thirty-Five Thousand and Ninety-Six Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2018

“The total sum of N1,283,350,030.75 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty- Three Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand and Thirty Naira and Seven Five Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2019.

“The total sum of N471,768,300.00 (Four Hundred and Seventy-One Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand and Three Hundred Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2020

“The total sum of N1,037,049,625.14 (One Billion and Thirty-Seven Million, Forty Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Five Naira, Fourteen Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2021.

The total sum of N573,669,325.60 (Five Hundred and Seventy-Three Million, Six Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand and Three Hundred and Twenty Five Naira, Sixty Kobo) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2022.

The total sum of N32,271,625.00 (Thirty-Two Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty Five Naira) only as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2023

The total sum of N4,010,000.00 (Four Million and Ten Thousand Naira) as outstanding and unpaid travel allowances and out of pocket expenses for the year 2024.

“The total sum of 8,282,507,532.07 (Eight Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty- Two Million, Five Hundred and Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Thirty- Two Naira, Seven Kobo) as the Claimant outstanding travel allowances and other statutory allocations due to the Claimant within the period of his position as the Acting Governor of Edo State and other part of his position as the Elected Deputy Governct of Edo State for the perlod of elght (8) years.”

Shaibu is also seeking the court to direct the defendants to “jointly and severally pay to the Claimant the sum of N500,000,000.00 as general damages for the injury suffered by the Claimant for the unlawful withholding of the Claimant’s salaries, statutory allocations as Deputy Governor, confiscation of the Claimant’s personal belongings and his unpaid-travel expenses and illegal withholding of Pension Rights and Entitlement of the Claimant as the Elected Deputy Governor of Edo State.”

Shaibu will also be paid N50m as the cost of litigation incurred for this suit.