Why we detain Edo government officials- EFCC (See document)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently detained Edo State’s Accountant General, Mr. Julius O. Anelu, and three other state treasury officials, citing non-compliance with previous invitations for questioning.

The officials are accused of mismanagement related to agricultural loan facilities secured from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial bodies, though the Edo State government claims the loans have already been repaid.

 

EFCC documents obtained reveal that the agency issued two letters, dated September 2022 and September 2023, inviting the officials for questioning. The letters were reportedly ignored, leading to the officials’ arrest last Thursday, just days before the scheduled handover from Governor Godwin Obaseki to Governor-elect Sen. Monday Okpebholo.

 

In response, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, condemned the arrests, calling them politically motivated. According to Nehikhare, the officials were initially summoned on October 28, 2024, with the EFCC accusing them of false pretenses. He criticized the detentions, claiming the EFCC's actions could disrupt essential state operations in the lead-up to the new administration.

 

“The EFCC is acting on a baseless pretense,” Nehikhare stated. “The CBN loans in question have already been cleared by the state government. The EFCC’s attempt to detain these civil servants until November 12—the end of the current administration’s tenure—is a threat to democracy and state governance.”

 

He further alleged that the EFCC’s actions would leave the state unable to meet basic operational responsibilities after November 4, 2024, effectively halting state governance. Nehikhare warned that the agency’s approach risks destabilizing the state during this critical period.

 

The EFCC, however, maintains that it is acting within the law to ensure accountability over the substantial sums involved in the agricultural loan scheme.