Samson Osagie Flouts Okpebholo’s Orders, Continues To Function As Edo’s Attorney General

Despite his suspension by Senator Monday Okpebholo over allegations of financial infractions, Samson Osagie, the suspended Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, has continued to function in his official capacity, flouting the directive of the governor, it has been gathered.

On February 6, the Edo State Government announced the suspension of Osagie alongside the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Ikhilor, in a statement, cited “grave official and financial infractions” as the reason for their suspension.

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The suspension was to take immediate effect, pending the outcome of an investigative committee set up by the government to probe the allegations.

However, in what appears to be a direct challenge to the governor’s authority, Osagie has continued to operate as the Attorney-General of the state.

On February 25, he wrote an official letter to the Presiding Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, requesting an adjournment of two cases of personal interest scheduled for February 26.

The letter, cited by our correspondent, which bore the official letterhead of the Ministry of Justice, Office of the Attorney-General and was personally signed by him, Osagie pleaded the court to adjourn the hearing to March 10, 2025 to enable him be personally available to handle the two cases.

The cases of Osagie’s personal interest are: Osamudiamen Uwaila v. The State with Appeal No: CA/B/191C/A/2019 and Naziru Ismael v. The State with Appeal No: CA/44C/2019.

The letter personally signed by suspended Attorney General and dated February 25, 2025 read, “I write to humbly apply for adjournment of two cases which comes up on Wednesday, the 26th February, 2025 for hearing.

“I am not immediately available to attend court owing to some official matters which is currently been sorted before I can personally appear in the matters.

“In the circumstances, may I humbly suggest the 10th of March 2025 for hearing of the appeal in order that I will be personally available to handle the two matters.”

Political analysts and legal experts have described Osagie’s actions as a troubling display of arrogance and lawlessness, one that threatens the integrity of the state’s justice system.

Others argue that the actions of the suspended Attorney General is only an affirmation that Senator Monday Okpebholo is a lame duck chief executive and holds no real control over his government.

“For an Attorney General, who is supposed to be a champion of justice and upholder of the law, to continue acting in their role despite being under suspension is a troubling display of arrogance and lawlessness. It undermines the integrity of the institution and can erode public trust in the justice system,” a legal expert in Benin City told our correspondent.

A political analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “It is also an outright affront to the powers of the governor. A suspended official cannot continue to exercise the powers of an office he no longer holds. His actions suggest that Governor Okpebholo is a lame duck chief executive who cannot assert control over his administration. If a suspended Attorney-General can still act with such impunity to protect whatever selfish interests he has in a case, it raises serious questions about the governor’s leadership.”