The Edo State Government has denounced the EFCC's arrest of Accountant-General Julius Anelu and other treasury officials, calling it a move to cripple governance. As tensions rise, Governor-elect Okpebholo denies involvement, asserting that EFCC’s actions aim to prevent unauthorized state withdrawals amidst alleged corruption.
The Edo State Government recently confirmed the arrest of five treasury officials, including Accountant-General Julius Anelu, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The state expressed concerns that these detentions are aimed at disrupting governance, particularly with the current administration’s term nearing its end on November 12.
According to Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, the officials were summoned by the EFCC on October 28, 2024, to answer questions about a repaid agricultural loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).
While one official was released, others, including a new signatory to state accounts, were detained and transferred to Abuja. Nehikhare criticized these actions as a deliberate attempt to destabilize state governance, claiming the EFCC is "following a script" with adverse effects on democracy. He urged for the immediate release of the detained officials, emphasizing that Governor Godwin Obaseki leads a transparent administration.
Governor-elect Senator Monday Okpebholo, however, denied any involvement in the arrests, countering that they were an EFCC effort to prevent unauthorized withdrawals amid allegations of theft. His spokesperson, Godswill Inegbe, suggested the arrests were in response to alleged looting by the outgoing administration.
Okpebholo’s statement claimed the EFCC’s actions revealed the extent of corruption within the departing administration, echoing recent reports of theft from government offices.
