..Plans to hold arrested officials till November 12
- Unconstitutional actions done to hinder operations –EDSG responds
BY TITUS AKHIGBE
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Edo State Accountant General, Julius Anelu, and three other officials, said to be signatories to the state government accounts.
Their arrest is coming less than 11 days to the handing over to the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, by the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki.
It was reliably learnt that the four state government officials reportedly arrested at the weekend were being held at the Benin office of the EFCC.
It was gathered that the officials were arrested in a bid to halt last minute withdrawals from the state account following the supplementary budget allegedly approved by the Edo State House of Assembly about two weeks to the inauguration of the new government.
It was learnt that with the arrest, government activities have been grounded as the state was unable to pay emoluments due to civil servants, pensions, and other public servants.
READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom: 2 Brigade Nigerian Army strengthens…
Statutory payments such as security bills and other obligations were also said to be affected. It was also gathered that the EFCC intends to keep the arrested officials till November 12, when the tenure of the outgoing government would end.
When Sunday Times reached the image maker of the Commission, Ehimare Oseghale on phone, he said, “My brother, I don’t know anything”, advising this reporter to call the headquarters.
However, the Edo State Government has called EFCC’s action ‘unconstitutional’.
A statement signed by Chris Osa Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication & Orientation read: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), 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 (CBN) 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 realizing 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 is to keep them in EFCC custody till November 12, on the day of the termination of the tenure of this government.
“In fact, from Monday, 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. Unconstituitional actions should not be done to hinder its operations.”
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.