by
Editor
The Edo State Board of MUSABAQAH, the body responsible for coordinating Quranic competitions in Edo State, has suspended its Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Oyarekhua, over allegations of financial mismanagement and misconduct.
The decision was reached at a meeting of the Board held at the Palace of the Otaru of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, where critical resolutions were adopted to safeguard the integrity of MUSABAQAH in Edo State.
According to the communiqué issued after the meeting, Alhaji Oyarekhua was accused of misappropriating funds without the approval of the Board Chairman, failing to submit activity and financial reports since 2019, and refusing to subject Edo students to proper screening during the last Quranic competition in Kebbi State.
He was also alleged to have made an unauthorized payment of MUSABAQAH funds into the Edo State Pilgrims Welfare Board account without the consent of the Board leadership.
As part of the resolutions, the Board directed him to immediately return all MUSABAQAH properties in his possession and face a formal query to explain the allegations leveled against him.
In a swift move to ensure continuity, the Board appointed Barrister Umoru Hamza as Acting Coordinator, to lead an interim management team.
The acting team will report to the Aidenogie of South Ibie, HRH Kelvin Danesi, and ultimately to the Otaru of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, who serves as Chairman of the MUSABAQAH Board.
The communiqué was jointly signed by prominent traditional rulers and Islamic leaders, including,
HRH Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, the Otaru of Auchi and Board Chairman; HRH Alhaji Kelvin Danesi, the Aidenogie of South Ibie; HRH Alhaji Ali Suleman, the Ogieaga of the Ibvie; HRH Jackson Dauda Etokhana, Oghie Avhianwu; Alhaji AbdulAzeez Igbinidu, Chairman, Edo State Council for Islamic Affairs; Alhaji Musa Muhammad Uduimoh, Chairman, Edo State Muslims Pilgrim Welfare Board; Alhaji (Prof.) Zakariya Oseni, Chief Imam of Auchi
The Board stressed that the move was necessary to restore transparency, accountability, and discipline in the management of MUSABAQAH activities in Edo State.
