The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested the Accountant General of Edo State, Julius Anelu, and two other government officials for alleged huge withdrawals from the State’s derivation account at the twilight of the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
This is as the governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, had accused the Obaseki administration “of last-minute borrowings and looting.”
Quoting an impeccable source in the EFCC, New Daily Prime learnt that of N24.6 billion paid into the government’s account, N14 billion was left within one week after the money was deposited some weeks back.
The source said, “We made some arrests of about two to three persons, including the Accountant General of the state. We have been investigating the governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, since 2022 but this latest arrest was as a result of some withdrawals from the state’s derivation account.
“The amounts withdrawn were huge sums. For instance, about some weeks ago, N24.6bn was paid into that account. But in less than one week, about N14bn was remaining in the account. To save the state, we had to quickly move. We are not in any way doing that to ground the state activities.”
However, the EFCC is yet to officially react to the development as of the time of this report.
According to SaharaReporters, in October, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu raised the alarm over alleged plans by Governor Godwin Obaseki to steal money from the state treasury.
Shaibu had made this disclosure in a press briefing in Benin City, saying he had an offer of a financial reward to the tune of N1 million to anyone who has information concerning alleged looting of government property as the administration winds down.
He had added that he had evidence to back the alleged looting in some quarters and last-minute borrowing from financial institutions.
He also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant agencies to investigate the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for projects in the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, the ongoing Radisson Hotel project, and last-minute appointments by the outgoing administration.
