Edo slams EFCC over arrest of accountant general, others

Edo State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, has expressed concerns that the recent arrest of the state’s accountant general, Julius Anelu, along with two other officials, is an attempt to destabilize governance in the region.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Nehikhare warned that starting from Monday, the state government would struggle to fulfill its essential duties and responsibilities. He noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sent a letter on October 28, 2024, inviting four officials from the Edo State Treasury, including Anelu, to its Benin office. The letter, addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, was related to loans and agricultural support provided to the Edo State Government by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) since 2018.

The invited officials, including the accountant general, attended the EFCC meeting on Thursday to respond to inquiries. However, when it became clear that one official was no longer a signatory to the state account, that individual was released, and the EFCC requested the current signatory, who was not listed in the initial invitation.

This officer is now in custody in Abuja, along with the other officials initially summoned. Nehikhare accused the EFCC of intentionally undermining governance in Edo State, claiming that the agency’s actions could pose a significant threat to democracy. He highlighted that the true motivation for detaining these civil servants is evident, especially given that they are being held until November 12, coinciding with the end of the current government’s term.

He condemned this “malicious” maneuver and called for the immediate release of the detained officials to prevent chaos in Edo State. Nehikhare emphasized that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration operates transparently and is committed to its duties until November 12, 2024, urging that no unconstitutional actions should obstruct its functioning.