With less than 11 days remaining before the handover of power in Edo State from outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki to Governor-elect Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the state’s Accountant General, Mr. Julius O. Anelu, along with four other government officials who are signatories to the state accounts.
The arrests took place on Thursday and are reportedly connected to concerns about potential last-minute withdrawals from state accounts.
According to sources, the officials were detained at the EFCC’s Benin office, following the alleged approval of a budget by the Edo State House of Assembly approximately two weeks before the new administration’s inauguration. This development has disrupted governmental operations, causing delays in the payment of civil servants’ salaries, pensions, and other public sector obligations. Additionally, essential payments, including security-related expenses, are reportedly affected, placing further strain on the state’s administration as it nears the transition of power.
According to the source, the commission intend to keep the arrested officials till November 12, when the tenure of the outgoing government would end.
When contacted, the EFCC spokesman in Edo State, Williams Oseghale, simply directed our reporter to the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Dele Oyewale.
When contacted on the phone, Oyewale requested to send a text message.
Text messages were sent to Oyewale’s WhatsApp number and his line as an SMS, but he was yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
