As Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure in Edo State nears its end, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken the state’s Accountant General, Julius Anelu, along with two other officials, into custody. This arrest follows reports of significant withdrawals from the state’s derivation account.
The EFCC’s actions come after Senator Monday Okpebholo publicly accused Obaseki’s administration of engaging in last-minute borrowings and alleged looting. According to a source close to the EFCC, the investigation revealed that out of N24.6 billion recently deposited in the state government’s account, only N14 billion remained after a week.
“We’ve detained two to three officials, including the state’s Accountant General, following these unusual withdrawals. Our investigation into Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration began in 2022, but the recent activity in the derivation account raised additional concerns. For instance, of the N24.6 billion deposited, only N14 billion remained within one week. To protect the state’s resources, we had to act swiftly. This move isn’t intended to halt state activities,” the EFCC source clarified.
At the time of this report, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding these recent arrests.
Earlier in October, SaharaReporters reported that Edo State’s reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had raised concerns over alleged financial misconduct within the administration. Shaibu, during a press conference in Benin City, warned of attempts by Obaseki to embezzle funds as his administration winds down. Shaibu also announced a N1 million reward for credible information related to the alleged looting of state assets.
Shaibu claimed he had supporting evidence of misappropriation in specific sectors, as well as last-minute borrowing activities by the administration. He called on the EFCC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant authorities to scrutinize these transactions, specifically funds allocated for projects within the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, the Radisson Hotel project, and certain recent appointments by the outgoing administration.
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