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Edo Stakeholders Commend EFCC For Arresting Top Govt Officials

Published

Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 07:58 PM

Written by Brenda Izu

Edo Stakeholders Commend EFCC For Arresting Top Govt Officials

A group in Edo State, the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech, a coalition of political stakeholders, has commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the recent detention of the state’s Accountant-General, Julius Anelu, along with two other top government officials.

The arrests, according to the EFCC, are tied to alleged corruption involving substantial withdrawals from the state treasury.

According to a source within the EFCC, Anelu and his associates were detained after being linked to large-scale withdrawals of public funds.

The insider disclosed that out of a N24.6 billion deposit made to the state’s account, only around N14 billion remained within a week.

This revelation has prompted calls for further investigation, especially as Governor Godwin Obaseki nears the end of his term. The EFCC's intervention occurs just a week before the inauguration of the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

In response to the arrests, the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech issued a statement, urging the EFCC to pursue individuals recently accused of embezzling public assets.

The group also pressed for accountability, demanding an explanation of over a trillion naira in funds reportedly obtained through federal allocations, generated revenue, loans, and other sources during Governor Obaseki's eight-year tenure.

The group’s leaders, Patrick Osaigbovo and Andrew Isewele, expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the EFCC's actions but nonetheless applauded the agency for what they described as a critical step towards transparency.

"It is a welcome development," their statement read. "We have watched the inhumane looting that has been going on in Edo for years in dismay. We are surprised that the EFCC, for almost eight years, did not lift its fingers to arrest any official of Obaseki’s administration. Even with just a few days to go, the looting has not stopped."

However, Edo State's Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, condemned the arrests as an attempt to destabilize governance, emphasizing that the state government, under Governor Obaseki, maintains a transparent and accountable administration.

"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," he stated, urging the EFCC to act in the "interest of democracy, justice, peace, and the well-being of the Edo people."

The stakeholders’ group, in its statement, also issued a warning to the EFCC, suggesting that it intensify its efforts to recover funds allegedly misappropriated. "We are aware that some key officials of the Edo State Government are already relocating with the stolen funds. If the EFCC fails to act next week, we will have no option but to lead a mass protest to its headquarters in Abuja," the statement read.

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

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Edo Stakeholders Commend EFCC For Arresting Top Govt Officials

The arrests, according to the EFCC, are tied to alleged corruption involving substantial withdrawals from the state treasury.

According to a source within the EFCC, Anelu and his associates were detained after being linked to large-scale withdrawals of public funds.

The insider disclosed that out of a N24.6 billion deposit made to the state’s account, only around N14 billion remained within a week.

This revelation has prompted calls for further investigation, especially as Governor Godwin Obaseki nears the end of his term. The EFCC's intervention occurs just a week before the inauguration of the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

In response to the arrests, the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech issued a statement, urging the EFCC to pursue individuals recently accused of embezzling public assets.

The group also pressed for accountability, demanding an explanation of over a trillion naira in funds reportedly obtained through federal allocations, generated revenue, loans, and other sources during Governor Obaseki's eight-year tenure.

The group’s leaders, Patrick Osaigbovo and Andrew Isewele, expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the EFCC's actions but nonetheless applauded the agency for what they described as a critical step towards transparency.

However, Edo State's Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, condemned the arrests as an attempt to destabilize governance, emphasizing that the state government, under Governor Obaseki, maintains a transparent and accountable administration.

"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," he stated, urging the EFCC to act in the "interest of democracy, justice, peace, and the well-being of the Edo people."

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