The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Edo State Accountant General, Mr. Julius O. Anelu and four other officials of the Edo State government......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
The move is believed to be targeting the outgoing state governor, Godwin Obaseki whose tenure ends on November 12, 2024.It was learnt that the anti-graft agency swooped on the officials following last-minute withdrawal of about N10.6 billion.
The move is expected to result in a comprehensive investigation of the management of Edo fund by Governor Obaseki during his eight-year tenure.
Reports said that all the officials arrested along with the accountant general by the anti-graft agency were signatories to the Edo State government accounts.
Obaseki and his camp have reportedly become panicky on account of the series of arrests.
Competent sources familiar with the arrest hinted that the five government officials, reportedly picked up on Thursday, October 31, 2024, are cooling their heels at the EFCC’s Benin Zonal office with “no particular charges brought against them”.
However, the sources said that the officials’ problem might not be unconnected with the moves by the incoming APC administration to forestall last minute’s arbitrary withdrawals from the State account after the Edo State House of Assembly allegedly approved the budget about two weeks to the inauguration of the new administration.
The arrest has disrupted some financial transactions with the State unable to service its commitments such as emoluments and pensions due to civil servants and other public servants.
Also reportedly affected in the process are statutory payments such as security bills, among other obligations.
Some close associates of Governor Obaseki have slammed the anti-corruption Commission for playing ‘dirty politics’ with the lives of Edo people who are adversely affected by the State government’s inability to honour certain financial commitments at the moment because of the arrest.
Thy accused the Commission of deliberately moving to keep the arrested officials in custody until after November 12 inauguration that effectively terminates the Obaseki eight-year tenure.
The EFCC spokesperson in Edo Zonal office, Williams Oseghale, simply directed enquiries to the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Dele Oyewale.
As of press time, there had been no official response from the anti-graft agency on the arrest and investigation.
