The Edo State Government has confirmed the Naija Daily News report that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested the state’s Accountant General and other signatories to the state’s financial accounts.
NDN reported on Friday that the Accountant General, Mr Julius Anelu and other officials of the outgoing administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, were arrested by the EFCC.
EFCC Arrests Gov Obaseki’s Account General, 4 others – Naija Daily News
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osas Nehikhare, said the officials were invited by the EFCC in a letter addressed to the Secretary to the State Government but were detained at the EFCC office Benin Office and taken to Abuja.
He said the invitation was about ‘Loans and Agricultural Interventions Granted to Edo State from Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigerina Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL.
Nehikhare said the officials were invited to provide information about the loan but were curiously detained.
“However, upon realising that one of the invited officials was no longer a signatory to the government account, the EFCC released the officer and requested for the current signatory, whose name was not initially on the invitation letter.
“The said officer is now also being detained by the agency at Abuja, in addition to the others who were originally invited and honoured the invitation.
EFCC Acting a Script to Cripple Obaseki’s Administration:
“The EFCC seems intent on crippling governance in Edo State and acting out a script that portends grave danger to democracy. The reason for the invitation of these civil servants is clear, contrary to the invitation letter is to keep them in EFCC custody till November 12, the day of the termination of the tenure of this government.
“In fact, from Monday, the government would have been grounded and would no longer be able to meet basic responsibilities and obligations.
“This devious action is most condemnable and reprehensible, and we urge the EFCC to act responsibly in the interest of democracy, justice, peace and the wellbeing of Edo people and immediately release these government officials, and not throw Edo State into chaos.
Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki runs a transparent and accountable Government. This Government runs until November 12th, 2024. Unconstitutional actions should not be done to hinder its operations,” the letter added.
