Lucky Igbinedion

Last updated

Lucky Igbinedion
Governor of Edo State
In office
29 May 1999 –29 May 2007
ProfessionPolitician
Website www.luckyigbinedion.co.za

Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion (born 13 May 1957) is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Edo State from 1999 to 2007. [1]

Contents

Early life

Igbinedion was born on 13 May 1957. [1] He is the eldest son of Gabriel Igbinedion. [2] He holds a BSc in marketing from the University of Wyoming (1982), and MBA from Jackson State University, Mississippi, US (1983).

Career

Igbinedion was appointed Mayor of Oredo from 1987 to 1989. In December 1991 as a candidate of the National Republican Convention, he lost the election for the office of governor of Edo State to John Odigie Oyegun. [3]

In the 1999 Edo State gubernatorial election under PDP, Igbinedion was elected governor of Edo State. In 2003 he was reelected for a second term, an office he held with his deputy, Mike Oghiadomhe until 29 May 2007. [4]

During the period of his governorship, he established the Edo State Polytechnic, Usen and was elected by his colleagues as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF). [5]

His wife, Eki Igbinedion, was active against the widespread sex trafficking of women from Edo State to Europe. [6] Eki Igbinedion founded the Idia Renaissance, a non governmental organization to combat trafficking in persons. [7]

Later life

In January 2008, he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on allegations of financial fraud. The EFCC accused him of having embezzled US$24 million (£12m) using front companies. He handed himself over later that month. [8] [9] The Benin Youth Council asked for an apology for statements implying he ran away from justice. [10]

In December 2008, he was convicted by a court, but was controversially asked to pay a paltry sum of $25,750 in fines. [11]

In November 2021, he was also invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged criminal diversion of public fund to the tune of 1.6bn. He has not been charged since then. [12] [13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Edo State Governor Election 2020: Meet di former governors of Edo state and dia biography". BBC News Pidgin. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "The story of Igbinedion University by the founder". PM News . 7 September 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  3. ↑ Aziken, Emmanuel (11 June 2016). "Odigie-Oyegun: A cat with nine lives". Vanguard News . Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion (2006-2007)". nggovernorsforum.org. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  5. ↑ Admin. "Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion (2006-2007) - Nigeria Governors' Forum". NGF. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  6. ↑ "Nigeria: How We Made Prostitution Unattractive for Italy-Bound Girls - Igbinedion". allAfrica.com. 23 September 2012.
  7. ↑ Inyang, Ifreke (23 September 2012). "How we made prostitution unattractive for Italy-bound Edo girls - Eki Igbinedion". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "Wanted Nigerian hands himself in". BBC. 21 January 2008.
  9. ↑ "Nigeria: Igbinedion Reports to EFCC, Detained and convicted with an option of fine". AllAfrica.com. 21 January 2008.
  10. ↑ Nigerian Tribune Archived 29 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ Daramola, Kunle (4 May 2024). "AT A GLANCE: 33 prosecuted, six convicted... EFCC's corruption cases against ex-governors". TheCable. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  12. ↑ "EFCC arrest former Edo state governor Igbinedion ova N1.6 billion fraud allegation". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  13. ↑ "EFCC invites Lucky Igbinedion over alleged N1.6bn Fraud". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  14. ↑ Kenneth (1 May 2024). "List Of Governors Of Edo State (1990-Present)". NaijaDetails. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
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