Interpol arrested and detained the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr Osaze Osemwingie-Ero, for alleged money laundering while on the entourage of Gov. Godwin Obaseki during a trip to France.
Although the Edo State Government denied having anything to do with the arrest, but it was rumoured that $2m that he allegedly kept for Gov. Obaseki was reportedly found on him while on the said trip with the governor.
Another source said the commissioner was being questioned for an offence he committed seven years ago.
But the Edo State Government in its reaction said the alleged arrest of Osemwingie-Ero had nothing to do with Governor Obaseki.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said the state government could not confirm the alleged arrest of the commissioner.
He said, “We learnt about the alleged arrest of the Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Commissioner, Osaze Osemwingie-Ero, from unreliable sources on social media and we are unable to confirm either the alleged arrest or what might have led to it.
“But we can confirm without equivocation that whatever the issues might be, they are totally personal and have nothing whatsoever to do with the Edo State Government or Governor Godwin Obaseki.”
A top government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the state government was aware of the questioning of Osemwingie-Ero by INTERPOL for an offence committed before he was appointed by Obaseki.
On the sum of $2m found on the commissioner, the source said it had yet to be confirmed whether any money was found on him or not.
