Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has suspended the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponmwosa, and the Edo State Project Coordinator of the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (LPRES) Project, Mrs. Ikpikhumi Betsy Aghaku, over alleged misconduct.
The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor.
The statement said both officials are to step aside from their positions with immediate effect.
Following the suspension, the two officials have been directed to hand over every official document, record and government property connected to the LPRES Project to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development.
They were also instructed to report to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for a full briefing on the implementation of the LPRES Project.
Although the state government confirmed that the suspension was linked to alleged misconduct, it did not provide details of the accusations or explain the events that led to the decision.
The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (LPRES) Project is a programme jointly run by the federal and state governments.
It is aimed at improving livestock production, helping the sector withstand challenges and supporting better livelihoods for livestock farmers in participating states.
The Edo State Government has yet to announce how long the suspension will last or whether further action will be taken after the review of the project and the officials’ activities.
