Governor Okpebholo Sacks AG Osagie, Names Prof. Otaru SAN Amidst Major Ministry Restructuring

Benin City, Edo State – Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has removed the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, and immediately appointed Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN, as his replacement. The removal of Osagie comes just hours after the swearing-in of 19 new Commissioners on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Dependable NG reports that Dr. Osagie’s exit was anticipated following the nomination of Professor Otaru to the cabinet. Osagie, a former member of both the State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, had previously faced an internal crisis when he was suspended on February 5, 2025, over alleged grave official and financial infractions. Although he was subsequently reinstated on March 12, 2025, after an investigative panel cleared him, his name was conspicuously missing from the portfolios assigned to the new Commissioners, confirming his final departure.

In a broader administrative exercise, Governor Okpebholo also expanded the state’s executive structure from 22 to 28 ministries as part of a strategic reform. The Governor stated that this comprehensive restructuring is designed to mirror the Federal Government’s structure and ensure the seamless alignment of his administration’s SHINE Agenda with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The cabinet reshuffle also saw a minor shake-up in other key ministries:

Paul Ohonbamu, the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Communication, was redeployed to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He was replaced by Prince Kassim Afegbua, with the ministry’s name being changed to the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

Dr. Lucky Eseigbe moved from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

Barrister Bisi Idaomi was moved from the Ministry of Women Affairs to the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, with Eugenia Abdallah taking over the Ministry of Women Affairs.

New ministries created by the Governor to enhance administrative efficiency include the Ministry of Livestock Development, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of Labour and Productivity. Furthermore, the defunct Ministry of Mining, Gas, and Oil has been split into two separate entities: the Ministry of Mining and the Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources, each with a dedicated Commissioner.

Osagie has publicly expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served under Governor Okpebholo. Meanwhile, the portfolios for the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and the status of Commissioner-designates Osi Akhigbe and Hon. Chris Okaeben remain pending.