Written by Kodalo Odeon
7 July 2024
Was the law firm of Banwo & Ighodalo, where Mr. Asuenimhen Akintunde Ighodalo—the PDP governorship candidate—operates, paid a staggering #7 billion by the outgoing Edo State government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki?
This billion naira question is now begging for answer as facts emerge that the payment was ostensibly for legal advice on the controversial Radisson Hotel project, Benin City, out of an estimated total of #10 billion.
This issue was brought to light by Edo APC party chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, a few days ago. While the EFCC is pressing the Edo State government for an explanation, like many Ẹdo people are wondering why a government with less than 200 days in office would bypass the legal expertise available within the State Ministry of Justice, including the Attorney General, in favor of a single law firm. This situation raises several important questions and many are asking the PDP and Edo government.
First, the question is what kind of legal advice did Banwo & Ighodalo provide to the Edo State government in 2022 that justified a payment of over 10 billion naira in 2023? Legal advisory services of this magnitude are unprecedented and beg the question of the firm’s exact contributions to the Radisson Hotel project.
Secondly, is it true that Banwo & Ighodalo, a firm owned by PDP governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo, has been awarded contracts totaling 1.5 billion naira for legal advisory services to Edo State over the past eight years?. This long-standing financial relationship raises concerns about conflicts of interest, especially in light of our upcoming governorship election. So the PDP candidate is using Edo state funds to finance his campaign?
There is also the question of this nature of the relationship between Banwo & Ighodalo, Afrinvest West Africa Limited, and the Edo State government concerning the Radisson Hotel project.
Another pressing question is whether the government attempted a cover-up of the takeover of the uncompleted building near the Benin Golf Course before it got its new label. Is this where the legal advice came in handy? This uncompleted building now earmarked for the Radisson Hotel project, has a hidden status and after it became property of Edo people its ownership details remain shrouded in mystery. Is the law firm involved in this?
Additionally, was the money paid to Banwo & Ighodalo only for contract drafting and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) writing related to the Radisson Hotel project? If so, what were the specific documents they produced?
It is also crucial to determine whether Banwo & Ighodalo were paid the substantial sums for legal advice about the ownership details of the building before it was renamed Radisson Hotel project. We need to know about the project’s transformation from a private property, to Edo state government initiative and back into a private company, reportedly with 100% ownership by a known individual in the government.
Finally, did Banwo & Ighodalo enable the Edo State government to get the new label or to transform the Radisson Hotel project into a private or public entity after initially presenting it as a state government or Edo people project?
These questions highlight the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the financial dealings and legal advisories related to the Radisson Hotel project. The people of Edo State deserve the truth from their government, especially when it involves such significant sums of public money. The truth behind the #10 billion payment to Banwo & Ighodalo must be uncovered if Edo is to uphold the principles of good governance.
This issue is not just about legal fees or advisory services; it is about the integrity of people seeking public office and the trust that the people of Edo State place in their leaders.
My OWN OPINION: According to this story, Asue Ighodalo and Godwin Obaseki have 48 hours to deny or they'll be no integrity left and I'm ready on behalf of Edo state to take them to court. And they should also not forget Olumide Akpata said that every money that belongs to Edo state who stole from us will be returned to Edo state.