By Abiola Olawale
The Edo State government has openly criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its recent arrest of Julius Anelu, Edo state’s accountant general, along with two other officials.
The state government expressed concern regarding the implications of these arrests, warning that such actions could have a paralyzing effect on governance and disrupt the essential functions of the State government.
A statement released by Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said that from Monday, the state government would have been grounded and unable to meet up with basic responsibilities and obligations.
The statement reads in part: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in a letter dated October 28, 2024, invited four officials from the Edo State Treasury Office, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, to its Benin Office. The letter of invitation, addressed to the Secretary to the State Government and titled “Loans and Agricultural Interventions Granted to Edo State Government from Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) from 2018 to date,” pertains to an agricultural facility that has since been repaid by the State Government.
“The government officers, including the state accountant on Thursday, honoured the invitation as requested at the Benin Office of the EFCC to provide necessary answers as required by the EFCC. 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. 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 to keep them in EFCC custody until November 12, the day of the termination of the tenure of this government.
“In fact, from Monday, the government would have been grounded and will no longer be able to meet up with 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.”
This is coming after reports emerged that the EFCC officials arrested Mr Anelu and two other government officials over alleged withdrawals of funds from the state government account dedicated to derivation funds.
The arrested officials were said to be in custody for alleged withdrawals from the State’s derivation account.
