The Edo State government has condemned the detention of the state Accountant General and four others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The government also noted that the action is intended to cripple the government and governance in the state because what they were being held over were already repaid loan facilities.
The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare stated this in a press statement in Benin on Saturday.
According to Nehikhare, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a letter dated October 28, 2024, invited four officials from the Edo State Treasury Office, including the Accountant General, Julius Anelu, to its Benin Office.
“The letter of invitation, addressed to the Secretary to the State Government and titled “Loans and Agricultural Interventions Granted to Edo State Government from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) from 2018 to date,” pertains to an agricultural facility that has since been repaid by the State Government.
“The government officers, including the State Accountant on Thursday, honoured the invitation as requested at the Benin Office of the EFCC to provide necessary answers as required by the EFCC.
“However, upon realizing that one of the invited officials was no longer a signatory to the government account, the EFCC released the officer and requested for the current signatory, whose name was not initially on the invitation letter.
“The said officer is now also being detained by the agency at Abuja, in addition to the others who were originally invited and honoured the invitation.
“The EFCC seems intent on crippling governance in Edo State and acting out a script that portends grave danger to democracy. The reason for the invitation of these civil servants is clear, contrary to the invitation letter is to keep them in EFCC custody till November 12, on the day of the termination of the tenure of this government.
“In fact, from Monday, November 4, 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 and we urge the EFCC to act responsibly in the interest of democracy, justice, peace and the wellbeing of Edo people and immediately release these government officials, and not throw Edo State into chaos.
“Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki runs a transparent and accountable Government. This Government runs until November 12th, 2024. Unconstitutional actions should not be done to hinder its operations” he stated.
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