Political stakeholders in Edo State under the aegis of the Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech on Sunday applauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for detaining the state’s Accountant-General, Julius Anelu, and two other government officials over corruption allegations.
They urged the commission to go after those lately accused of stealing public assets, insisting that Governor Godwin Obaseki must account for a trillion realised through federal allocations, generated revenues, loans, among others, in the last eight years.
The development comes barely one week before the official handover and inauguration of the administration of the governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Anelu and other officials who were in the custody of the commission as of Friday evening were arrested for alleged withdrawals of huge sums of money from the state’s account.
According to an impeccable source in the EFCC, out of N24.6 billion paid into the government’s account, about N14bn was left within one week after the money was deposited some weeks back.
However, in a rebuttal issued on Saturday, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the arrest was targeted at crippling governance in the state.
He said, “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.
We urge the EFCC to act responsibly in the interest of democracy, justice, peace and the well-being of the Edo people, and immediately release these government officials, and not throw Edo State into chaos. The Edo State Government, led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, runs a transparent and accountable government.
“This government runs until November 12. Unconstitutional actions should not be done to hinder its operations.”
Reacting in a statement jointly issued in Abuja, the leaders of the group, Patrick Osaigbovo and Andrew Isewele, hailed the anti-graft commission for rising to the occasion.
They also urged the EFCC not to wait until Obaseki leaves office before recovering the funds and assets allegedly stolen by some of his appointees.
The statement read, “It is a welcome development. 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.
“We are wondering if the EFCC wants the state to go bankrupt before it steps in. We have enough evidence to assist the EFCC in doing its job. This is to show you how much we care about our state. Obaseki got over N1.5 trillion as revenue and allocations in eight years. Edo State does not look like it has such funds. So, Obaseki must account for those funds now or later.
“We are aware that some key officials of the Edo State Government are already relocating with the stolen funds. However, we want to put it on notice that if the EFCC fails to act next week and arrest those allegedly involved in the blind stealing, we will have no option but to lead a mass protest to its headquarters in Abuja. “
(PUNCH