Less than two weeks before Governor Godwin Obaseki is set to hand over power to the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Mr. Julius O. Anelu, the Accountant-General of Edo State. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the state administration, creating a ripple effect on government activities and raising questions about the final days of Obaseki’s administration.
Anelu, along with four other high-ranking officials, was reportedly taken into custody on Thursday by EFCC operatives stationed in Benin, the Edo State capital. Sources indicate that the arrested individuals were key signatories to Edo State government accounts. Their arrest has led to a halt in essential government functions, as financial operations across the state have been effectively suspended.
According to insiders, the arrests appear to be part of a preemptive measure by the EFCC to prevent any last-minute withdrawals from state accounts. The Edo State House of Assembly had recently approved a new budget, reportedly just two weeks before the inauguration of the incoming administration. The timing of this budget approval has sparked speculation that large withdrawals might be made, leading the EFCC to act swiftly.
One source close to the situation noted, “With these arrests, the state government can hardly carry out basic operations. Civil servants, pensioners, and security officers are now waiting for their payments, and the funds are tied up.”
This interruption of financial activities has cast a shadow over Obaseki’s final days in office, with critics questioning whether the last-minute financial maneuvers were intended for the public good or personal interests. The sudden freeze on payments to civil servants and public service providers has caused frustration and worry among government workers, many of whom were expecting to receive payments before the handover.
EFCC officials have not yet issued a detailed statement on the arrests, leaving citizens to wonder about the specifics of the alleged financial misconduct. However, the source hinted that the agency plans to hold the detained officials until November 12, the scheduled handover date.
When approached for comments, EFCC’s Edo State spokesman, Williams Oseghale, directed our inquiries to the Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Dele Oyewale. Oyewale, reached by phone, requested that our reporter send a message. Text messages were sent to his number via WhatsApp and SMS, but as of press time, he had not responded.
The lack of response from the EFCC has fueled public curiosity and suspicion, with Edo residents demanding transparency from the agency. In recent months, the EFCC has increased its presence in the region, targeting corruption cases in both the public and private sectors. The agency’s decisive move to arrest top officials so close to the handover date has been seen by some as a necessary intervention, while others interpret it as politically motivated.
Political analysts have observed that tensions between the EFCC and Edo State officials have been simmering, as several investigations have been launched into various government financial practices in the state. The arrest of Anelu and his colleagues has added to an already charged atmosphere, with the Obaseki administration set to pass the torch to Okpebholo’s incoming government.
