Samson Osagie, Edo State Attorney General And Former Reps Minority Leader, Stains Two Decades Political Profile With Alleged ‘Grave Financial Infractions’

Samson Osagie

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Barrister Samson Osagie, Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, may have stained his political profile built over two decades.

During the week, Edo State Government announced the suspension of Barrister Samson Osagie as its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

The suspension also included Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani.
Making the announcement, Mr. Musa Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG),in a statement in Benin on Thursday morning, said the two state top officials were suspended over allegations of “grave official and financial interactions.”

According to him, the suspension, which took immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Gov. Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie over allegations of grave official and financial infractions.

“The suspension is with immediate effect.

“Consequently, the governor has ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to investigate the allegations levelled against them and make appropriate recommendations accordingly.

“The suspension of Osagie and Lawani became necessary to enable the Government carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them.

“The suspension is pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the SSG said.

Coming in less than three months after Barrister Osagie took office as Attorney General of Edo, the suspension has sufficiently rattled the politician as well as the reputation he has built for over two decades.
Meantime, those who are close to the Uhunmwode Local Government Area ward 6 tactical politician never saw this coming.

“We were taken unawares. Nobody saw this coming. There was no sign that Barrister Osagie was already on the wrong side of the governor. It is still a surprise to us. Can you imagine the reputation Osagie has built over two decades just going down the drain?

“His reputation is stained already. What we are going to be doing in the months ahead is damage control. It is unthinkable but it has happened and it is unfortunate,” a close associate of Osagie told OpenLife Saturday morning in confidence.

Born on November 11, 1967, Osagie hails from Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State. He started off as a member of Edo State House of Assembly before proceeding to the House of Representatives where he served as a principal officer of the House as a minority whip.

Professionally, he has been the Managing Partner in Samson Ima-Osagie & Associates as well as CEO, Samraph Global Consults Ltd and Executive Director, Centre For Advanced & Dynamic Leadership For Development.

Osagie, who was the Director of Contact and Mobilization, South-South Zone, for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, obtained Second Class Honours [Upper Division] in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, in 1994.