Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Barrister Kasimu Otono as his new Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, following the suspension of his predecessor, Felix Isere.
Isere was relieved of his duties earlier in the week for allegedly soliciting funds without proper authorization in the name of the Edo State Government. The funds were said to be linked to an upcoming Oil and Gas Summit scheduled to hold on August 7 in Benin City.
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, announced Otono’s appointment in a statement issued on Friday.
“The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Barrister Kasimu Otono as Special Adviser on Oil and Gas,” the statement read.
The new appointee, Otono, is a seasoned legal practitioner with experience in commercial law, real estate, and oil and gas. He is a member of both the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association and currently serves as Senior Partner at Kay and Kay Legal, a firm known for its work in the oil and gas sector.
Describing Otono, the statement noted, “He is a legal professional, real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community mobilizer who brings a wealth of experience to the role.”
Governor Okpebholo had earlier ordered Isere to refund all donations collected for the planned summit and cautioned the public against further transactions with him.