Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Barrister Kasimu Otono as the new Special Adviser on Oil and Gas.
This comes following the suspension of the former Special Adviser, Felix Osemwengie Isere, who was accused of unauthorized fundraising using the name of the Edo State Government to solicit funds for an upcoming Oil and Gas Summit scheduled to take place in Benin City on August 7, 2025.A statement issued earlier had announced Isere’s suspension, stating:
“It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has ordered the suspension of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Oil and Gas, Felix Osemwengie Isere from office, for unauthorized fund raising, using the name of Edo State Government for the proposed Oil and Gas Summit.”
In a fresh statement on Friday morning, Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, confirmed the appointment of Barr. Kasimu Otono as Isere’s replacement.
The statement reads in part:
“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the appointment of Barr. Kasimu Otono as Special Adviser (Oil & Gas) to the Governor.”
Otono is a legal practitioner, real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and seasoned community mobilizer. He is a member of both the Nigerian Bar Association and the International Bar Association.
He currently serves as a Senior Partner at Kay & Kay Legal, a firm that specializes in commercial, real estate, and oil and gas law.
