Operatives of Interpol have arrested the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr Osaze Osemwingie-Ero, for alleged money laundering in France.
Osemwingie-Ero was reportedly arrested and detained by INTERPOL in France in November for being in possession of $2m.
There are speculations that the money was given to him by Governor Godwin Obaseki as he accompanied the governor on the foreign trip. But the State Government has debunked the claim.
Another source said the commissioner was being questioned for an offence he committed seven years ago.
But the Edo State Government in its reaction on Monday 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.”
