The Edo State government has condemned the on-going detention of its Accountant General, Julius Anelu, along with other top treasury officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as an attempt to cripple governance in the State.
In a statement released on Saturday to Uptown Press, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare detailed the events leading to the detention of the officials. He explained that the officials, who had initially honoured the EFCC’s invitation in Benin City to provide information on a loan facility that had already been repaid, are now being detained without clear justification.
The invitation letter, dated October 28, 2024, requested information on agricultural loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), granted to Edo State from 2018 to date.
However, according to Nehikhare, the facility in question had already been fully repaid by the State government.
Despite cooperating with the EFCC, the officials were detained. One of the initial detainees was reportedly released after the EFCC realised they were no longer a signatory to the government accounts.
However, a replacement signatory, whose name was not on the original invitation letter, was later detained, joining the others.
“The EFCC seems intent on crippling governance in Edo State and acting out a script that portends grave danger to democracy,” Nehikhare stated, adding that the detentions appear designed to immobilise the State’s operations as Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration nears its end on November 12, 2024.
He warned that the State government could be “unable to meet basic responsibilities and obligations” if the officials remain detained.
In his statement, Nehikhare called the EFCC’s actions “most condemnable and reprehensible,” urging the agency to release the officials in the interest of Edo citizens and the stability of democratic processes.
“Edo State Government, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, runs a transparent and accountable administration. We urge the EFCC to act responsibly to protect democracy, justice, and the wellbeing of Edo people,” he concluded.
