Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has mandated the immediate freezing of all state-owned bank accounts. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Thursday, the governor confirmed that the freeze would remain until further notice.

The governor instructed commercial banks and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the directive promptly. He warned of strict consequences for any non-compliance. “All state bank accounts with commercial banks have been frozen. Commercial banks must comply with this order and ensure that not a single naira is withdrawn from government coffers until further notice,” the statement read.

“Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies must ensure full compliance without delay,” it continued. Okpebholo noted that after necessary investigations and reconciliations, further action would be determined.

Additionally, the governor ordered the restoration of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to its original name, the Ministry of Works, reversing a change made by former Governor Godwin Obaseki. Okpebholo directed immediate implementation of the name change.

“It is odd to name a government institution the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, especially when not a single bridge was built by the previous administration — not even a pedestrian bridge,” he stated. The governor indicated plans to review other actions taken by the prior administration to decide on measures that benefit the state.