Edo Governor Suspends Primary Healthcare Boss Over Alleged Financial Impropriety

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate suspension of Dr. Caulson Osoikhia Oahimire, the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, over allegations of grave financial and official infractions.

This was made known in a statement released on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, in the state capital, Benin City.

According to the statement, the suspension is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to uphold accountability and transparency in the management of public institutions. Governor Okpebholo directed the most senior staff of the agency to assume leadership in an acting capacity pending the conclusion of a probe.

“The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate suspension of the Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Caulson Osoikhia Oahimire over allegations of grave financial and official infractions.

“Consequently, the most senior staff of the agency will act in a functioning capacity pending the outcome of a special committee to be constituted by the government to investigate the various allegations,” the statement read.

Although specific details of the allegations were not disclosed, the development signals a broader move by the Okpebholo-led administration to intensify scrutiny of public service operations across the state.

Governor Okpebholo has previously suspended key government officials and initiated reviews of recruitment and consultancy services as part of his reform agenda since assuming office.

The Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency is a critical institution responsible for delivering grassroots health services, and the suspension of its executive secretary marks a significant development in the health sector’s governance.

Further updates are expected upon the conclusion of the committee’s investigation.