There is widespread concern among citizens of Anambra State following reports that N100 million was allegedly transferred from the state government’s account to the bank account of Victor Egbetokun, said to be the son of former Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Investigations by Sahara Reporters revealed that the sum was transferred in four tranches of N25 million each.
Reacting to the development, Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the allegation was accurate. He stated that the former IGP’s son acknowledged the receipt and was advised to instruct his bank to reverse the funds, which was promptly done.
Despite the reversal, the revelation has caused alarm among Anambra residents, many of whom questioned the management of the state’s finances under Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Critics noted the unusual nature of the transfer, questioning why the funds would end up in the account of someone with no official business in the state rather than an indigene or contractor.
Public affairs analyst and critic of the state government, Kingsley Ubani, said: “The question now on the lips of Ndi Anambra is, who approved the transfer of the sum of N100 million to the IGP son’s account and why? If such an error can occur unnoticed, how much money has been transferred in error in the past? This is an indictment on Professor Soludo, and citizens deserve an explanation.”
Another resident, Peter Ndukaike, expressed concern over the government’s silence: “What is worrisome is that the Anambra State Government has refused to comment on the matter since it broke. If such an amount can be transferred out in ‘error’, who knows how much of Anambra funds have been moved without a trace?”
Journalist Fisayo Soyombo criticised the situation on social media, highlighting the symbolic implications of the transfer: “The Anambra State Government was going to make an erroneous N100 million transfer, but instead, it went to the son of Nigeria’s number one internal security official. Nigerians are not fools, and they know it.”
Responding, the Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, insisted that the transfer had nothing to do with the state government. He stated that the incident was an “honest error” unrelated to Anambra finances and had already been reversed months ago. “Governor Soludo is a renowned finance manager; he is not one to throw away money. The matter has been settled,” Aburime added.
The episode has reignited debates over transparency and accountability in the management of public funds in Anambra State, with citizens demanding clearer explanations despite assurances from the governor’s office.
