The Edo State Government has said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was detaining four of its officials, including the Accountant General. Julius Anelu, over an already repaid loan.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, revealed this in a statement he issued on Saturday.
Nehikhare described the invitation and subsequent detention of some state officials by the EFCC as a ploy to cripple the government and governance in the state.
He explained in a statement that the EFCC had in a letter dated October 28, 2024 invited Anelu and three others to its Benin Office.
The letter of invitation was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government.
The Commissioner said the letter, 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.
Nehikhare explained that 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 anti-graft agency.
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He added: “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 Commissioner alleged that the EFCC seems intent on crippling governance in Edo State and acting out a script that portends grave danger to democracy, adding: “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, 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.”
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